EARLY DEFICIT RATTLES HORNETS IN 8-4 LOSS TO SAN FRANCISCO
2/11/2007
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - After a weekend put on hold because of constant rain, San Francisco and Sacramento State were finally able to play one game of their scheduled three-game series, with the Dons getting the best of the Hornets, 8-4, on Sunday at the College of San Mateo.
San Francisco improves to 3-2 on the year, while Sacramento State (0-5) still searches for its first victory. The two teams were scheduled to play a three-game series, with Friday's and Saturday's games located at Hornet Field, but weather and field conditions canceled those contests. At this time no make-up dates have been scheduled.
The Dons were led on Sunday by third baseman Brian Chavez. The first-year junior was 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and three RBIs.
Senior right-hander Jason Dufloth earned his second victory of the year, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing four runs on nine hits, leaving the game with a 6-4 lead in his favor.
The teams each totaled 12 hits apiece, but it was San Francisco's seven extra-base hits that made the difference on the scoreboard. A five-run third inning created a deficit that Sacramento State could not overcome.
With the game knotted at 1-1, San Francisco second baseman Joey Railey hit a one-out triple deep down the right field line that eventually resulted in him scoring the Dons' second run on a Luke Sommers one-run single. Later in the inning, San Francisco did most of its damage with two outs on the board.
A two-run double from Chavez was immediately followed by first baseman's Mitchell Bialosky's two-run homer - his second of the year. Hornet starter Alvaro Orozco escaped the inning retiring Tally Hall for the third out.
Orozco (0-1), in his second start of the year, took the loss for the Hornets after allowing six runs on seven hits in three innings of work.
The rest of Sacramento State starting rotation also saw time on the mound. Senior left-hander Mick Joyce allowed one run in 3.1 innings and Tevor York allowed one run in one inning.
Trailing 6-1 after the third, the Hornets added three runs in fifth and sixth innings, but would come no closer.
Cummins again led the Hornets at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance that included his RBI and one run scored. Starting leftfielder Ryan Blair was 2-for-5 at the plate and added two crucial defensive plays; a grab against the wall in the second inning and an assist from left in the seventh that resulted in the inning's third out in a play at the plate.
Senior rightfielder Montana Dye was 2-for-3 with a run scored as well as hist first career triple, while Kirkman, a transfer from Sierra JC, was 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
The Hornets will finally get to plate their first game at Hornet Field with a 2 p.m. start on Friday, hosting South Dakota State in a three-game series.
Notes: Senior Patrick Cummins continues to lead the team in batting average (.500) and slugging percentage (.750)...in two games this week, the Walla Walla, Wash., native hit .556 from the plate with three RBIs, two runs scored and one double...senior Montana Dye leads the team with a .550 on-base percentage and four walks...newcomer Ryan Blair leads the team in hits (9), RBIs (6) and stolen bases (3).
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.
