March 29, 2013
DALLAS BAPTIST PULLS AWAY LATE FOR 6-3 WIN OVER BASEBALL
DALLAS — Dallas Baptist scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a tie and withheld a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning to record a 6-3 victory over Sacramento State on Friday at Horner Ballpark.
The Patriots remained in first place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 4-1 league record and a 16-11 overall mark. The Hornets fell to 13-13 overall and are 1-4 in WAC games.
Sacramento State trailed 3-2 in the seventh inning before Andrew Ayers' one out double down the left field line scored David Del Grande and Justin Higley to give the team its first lead of the day.
That lead, however, lasted until the first batter in the bottom of the inning when Dustin McAlpine hit his second home run of the game, and third of the series, over the left-center field fence. DBU threatened to take the lead as it loaded the bases with two outs before Brennan Leitao got Jaime Garrido to ground out to third to end the inning.
After a scoreless top of the eighth for the Hornets, Boomer Collins homered to left center to return the lead to the Patriots. Tyler Hoelzen replaced Leitao after the long ball and allowed a single to McAlpine and a check-swing single to Ronnie Mitchell to place runners on first and second. Brandon Creel was called upon to face Austin Listi who promptly hit a shot off the top of the 25-foot center field fence to score both runners.
Sacramento State loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning with three infield singles — all to third base — but Michael Smith earned his second strikeout of the inning to thwart the rally.
Dallas Baptist scored the game's first runs in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run from McAlpine. The Hornets plated their first run in the top of the second on a single from Dane Fujinaka which scored Will Soto.
Each of the nine Hornet starters collected at least one hit, led by three from designated hitter Chris Lewis and two from Del Grande and Fujinaka. Sacramento State finished the game with 13 hits but left 10 runners on base.
"It was good to see us put some hits together but with the exception of Ayers' double we were never able to get the big hit when we needed it," Sacramento State head coach Reggie Christiansen said.
McAlpine was 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored to pace the Patriots.
Leitao lasted 7.1 innings and gave up four runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Hoelzen (1-2) was tagged with the loss after working one-third of an inning.
"Brennan did a great job holding a lineup like that to what he did," Christiansen said. "I will take that type of start any day."
Smith earned the victory for DBU after not allowing a run in 2.2 innings. The senior surrendered five hits and struck out three.
The final game of the series has been moved to 9:30 a.m. PDT on Saturday.
