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JACKS TAKE SERIES AFTER BOWMAN HOLDS HORNETS TO SIX HITS
2/17/2007
 SACRAMENTO, Calif. - An early Sacramento State three-run lead was quickly erased and toppled on Saturday, as South Dakota State defeated the Hornets 15-3 at Hornet Field.
The win gives the Jacks the victory in the series heading into Sunday’s finale. Due to impeding rain tomorrow evening, Sunday’s game time has been moved ahead to 12 p.m.
Despite battling the flu, Sacramento State left-hander Mick Joyce (0-1) took the mound pitching 4.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits, while tallying five strikeouts. He left the game after the fourth with the Hornets trailing 4-3.
Sacramento State (0-7) used six pitchers to close out the next five innings, with the relievers combining to allow 11 runs (six earned) on 12 hits and seven walks.
The only Hornet pitcher who took the mound and did not allow a run was right-hander Josh White. The redshirt freshman in his first career appearance struck out the side in order during the eighth.
South Dakota State clinched the game in the top of the seventh, scoring eight runs and adding to its existing 6-3 advantage. An error in the inning proved costly, as five runs scored with two outs in the scoreboard. The deadliest of those scores was a three-run double from Jacks’ third baseman Cal Lewis.
Jacks’ starter Matt Bowman pitched six innings in his first win of the season, allowing three unearned runs on six hits. The right-hander also struck out five. Isaac Johnson pitched the final three innings of the game and did not allow a Hornet to reach the base pads in three-straight innings, not surrendering a hit or walk.
Shortstop Jake Rogers led SDSU on the day just a double shy of hitting for the cycle, including a three-run homer in the third and also producing a triple, two singles and a walk. Lewis was 2-for-6 on the day with three RBIs and two runs scored, while first baseman Chris Iverson was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and three walks.
Things looked promising for Sacramento State after taking a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Rightfielder Montana Dye led off the inning with a single to left center, but was left on first with two outs until an error by Rogers put Blake Crosby at first and moved Dye into scoring position.
Two outs on the scoreboard did not deter junior Ryan Blair. The newcomer hit a line drive to left center that dropped in the gap. One of the fastest players on the roster, Blair used his speed to reach third, while Dye and Crosby scored the Hornets’ first two runs of the game. Second baseman Gary Johnson then executed a flawless bunt down the third base line that allowed Blair to score from third, while Johnson was safe at first.
The final game of the series will be played at 12 p.m. on Sunday. The broadcast can be followed on www.hornetsports.com with Dylan McKenzie providing the play-by-play.
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