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.

July 30, 2013
TEN SPOTS OPENED FOR BASEBALL PROSPECT CAMP

July 25, 2013
THREE BASEBALL PLAYERS EARN SUMMER LEAGUE ALL-STAR NODS

June 27, 2013
BASEBALL WELL REPRESENTED IN SUMMER COLLEGIATE LEAGUES

June 26, 2013
FOURTEEN HORNETS NAMED TO WAC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

June 10, 2013
McLOUGHLIN, LEWIS ADD TO POSTSEASON AWARDS

June 8, 2013
AYERS DRAFTED BY KANSAS CITY ROYALS

June 8, 2013
HIGLEY, MENDONCA SELECTED ON THIRD DAY OF MLB DRAFT

June 5, 2013
McLOUGHLIN, LEWIS NAMED FRESHMEN ALL-AMERICANS

May 20, 2013
BASEBALL HEADS TO GRAND PRAIRIE FOR WAC TOURNAMENT

April 30, 2013
QUICK START LIFTS BASEBALL TO 7-6 WIN AT NEVADA

April 29, 2013
SOTO, McLOUGHLIN NAMED WAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

April 28, 2013
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April 27, 2013
ONE RUN ENOUGH FOR BASEBALL IN 1-0 WIN OVER LA TECH

April 26, 2013
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April 25, 2013
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April 24, 2013
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April 23, 2013
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April 23, 2013
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April 20, 2013
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April 19, 2013
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April 18, 2013
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April 13, 2013
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April 12, 2013
DEFENSE FALTERS IN BASEBALL'S 5-4 LOSS AT NEW MEXICO STATE

April 11, 2013
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April 5, 2013
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April 4, 2013
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April 3, 2013
BASEBALL DROPS 8-4 DECISION TO SAN FRANCISCO

April 2, 2013
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March 30, 2013
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March 29, 2013
DALLAS BAPTIST PULLS AWAY LATE FOR 6-3 WIN OVER BASEBALL

March 28, 2013
BASEBALL DROPS FIRST GAME OF SERIES AT DALLAS BAPTIST

March 25, 2013
BASEBALL MEETS FRESNO STATE AT RALEY FIELD

March 22, 2013
BASEBALL DROPS FIRST GAME OF SERIES TO CSU BAKERSFIELD, 4-2

March 19, 2013
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March 17, 2013
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March 16, 2013
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March 15, 2013
BASEBALL BLANKED IN UCSB SERIES OPENER

March 14, 2013
BASEBALL VISITS UC SANTA BARBARA THIS WEEKEND

March 11, 2013
BASEBALL FIVE-GAME TICKET PLAN AVAILABLE

March 9, 2013
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March 5, 2013
BASEBALL CRUSHES RIVAL UC DAVIS, 14-0

February 28, 2013
BASEBALL HOSTS UTAH VALLEY THIS WEEKEND

February 26, 2013
PITCHING LEADS BASEBALL TO 4-1 WIN VS. NEVADA

February 25, 2013
BASEBALL HOSTS NEVADA ON TUESDAY

February 24, 2013
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February 23, 2013
BASEBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH HIGHLANDERS

February 22, 2013
BASEBALL DROPS HOME OPENER, 2-1, TO UC RIVERSIDE

February 17, 2013
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February 16, 2013
LEITAO'S GEM LEADS BASEBALL TO WIN AT TEXAS

February 15, 2013
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February 11, 2013
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February 4, 2013
Last Chance for Baseball Season Tickets

December 14, 2012
Baseball Adds Four in Early Signing Peroid

December 8, 2012
Baseball Announces Details for Third Annual Diamond Dinner

August 13, 2012
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