SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For the second-straight day, UC Riverside received a complete game from its starting pitcher to help defeat Sacramento State. On Saturday, the Highlanders turned to Chris Smith who allowed three runs and struck out eight in a 7-3 victory at Hornet Field.The win improved UCR to 21-16 overall and 2-6 in the Big West Conference. The Hornets fell to 14-18 overall and 0-8 in league games.
The Highlanders posted the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Jason Collette which scored Adam Seuss in the top of the first. Sacramento State, however, took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning. In the inning, the Hornets received an infield single by Tim Reimer. After Reimer stole second, Bret LeVier singled to center field placing runners on the corners. Smith was then called for a balk which scored Reimer from third. The team added its second run on a groundout by Mario Celillo.
UC Riverside tied the game in the third inning on an RBI-triple by Tony Festa. The Highlanders went ahead for good later in the inning when Festa scored from third on a double steal. UCR posted another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Brian Wahlbrink.
The Hornets attempted to rally in the sixth inning. Reimer led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a single by LeVier. Pinch hitter Chris Kinsey loaded the bases with a single to left before Celillo struck out for the first out of the inning. Pinch hitter Danny Gill followed with a line drive to left which scored Reimer but LeVier was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second on the play. Smith then struck out Matt Wilson to end the frame.
Riverside ended any hopes of a Sacramento State comeback with three runs in the seventh. The Highlanders received an RBI-single by Jimmy Anderson and a two-run single by Randy Blood.
The Highlanders were led at the plate by Seuss, Anderson and Festa. The trio, which hits 2-4 in the lineup, each had a pair of hits and combined to go 6-for-11 and score five runs.
Sacramento State was guided by LeVier’s 3-for-4 effort.
The two teams will conclude the three-game series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hornet Field.
---30---
UC Riverside (21-16, 2-6) 102 100 300 - 7 8 0
Sacramento State (14-18, 0-8) 200 001 000 - 3 8 2
WP - Chris Smith (6-5)
LP - Marshall Plouffe (3-5)
Chris Smith and Jimmy Anderson; Marshall Plouffe, Warren Rosebrock (7), Dusty Decker (9), Dave Turner (9) and Matt Wilson.
TOP HITTERS - UCR: Tony Festa 2x2, 3B; Adam Seuss 2x5, 2B; Jimmy Anderson 2x4; Scott Powis 2B. SAC: Bret LeVier 3x4.
