YOUNG'S BAT, SANDOVAL'S GLOVE HELP BASEBALL TO 6-4 WIN OVER RIVAL UC DAVIS
3/1/2011
Brandon Sandoval celebrates after his game-saving catch in the ninth vs. UC Davis on Tuesday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -Brent Hottman hit a bases clearing double, Kirby Young belted a two-run home run and reliever Brandon Sandoval made a miraculous catch that started the game-ending double play as the Sacramento State baseball team powered past rival UC Davis, 6-4, on Tuesday afternoon at John Smith Field.
The Hornets improve to 3-5 on the year, with all three wins coming against the Aggies. Sacramento State took three games in the four game set against UC Davis, which drops to 2-6 this season.
Sacramento State started off strong on Tuesday, scoring all six of its run in the first two innings.
With two outs in the bottom of the first and Derrick Chung on third plus Trevor Paine on first, the Hornets started to roll. Andrew Ayers drew a walk to load the bases before Blake Miller was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. With the bases still loaded, Hottman blasted a double off the wall in deep centerfield to plate all three base runners.
In the bottom of the second inning, with a new pitcher on the mound for UC Davis, the Hornets struck once again with two outs. After Ryan Lucas struck out both Chung and David Del Grande on three pitches, he walked Paine to bring Young to bat. On a 0-1 count, Young launched Lucas' 12th pitch of the inning over the right field fence to tack on two more runs.
Sacramento State starting pitcher Karl Maas had all the run support he needed at that point. Maas earned the win after he pitched five innings with five hits, one strikeout and two runs (one earned). He now sports a 1.50 ERA after two Tuesday starts.
But it took Sandoval's fantastic effort in the ninth to seal the win for Mass.
After Sandoval got Corbin Cutshaw out in the top of the ninth, two straight Aggies hit singles through the right side. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch giving UC Davis runners at second and third with one out.
Sandoval walked designated hitter David Popkins to load the bases which brought Scott Lyman to the plate, arguably UC Davis' best hitter.
On a 0-1 count, Lyman laced a ground ball toward the mound. Sandoval, a right-hander, spun his glove hand around his body and made a phenomenal behind-the-back snag. He tossed the ball to home for a force out and catcher Justin Lamb completed the game-ending double play with a throw to first.
Sandoval earned the save after pitching two innings with four hits, one run and two strikeouts.
UC Davis starter Scotty Walker took the loss after allowing four runs with three walks while facing five batters in one inning.
Sacramento State is scheduled to play at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Pacific. Rain is expected in the areaon Wednesday so stay tuned to www.hornetsports.com for updates.
