2017 Hall of Fame Inductions (PDF)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Vinny Esposito hit a pair of two-run home runs and freshman Parker Brahms allowed just one run over 7.2 innings as Sacramento State handed WAC-leading Grand Canyon its first conference loss of the season in a 7-1 win.

On a night in which five former players and two teams were inducted into the Sacramento State Baseball Hall of Fame, Sacramento State (15-15, 3-5 WAC) held Grand Canyon (13-17, 7-1 WAC) to just four hits and scored four runs in the fourth inning en route to evening up the weekend series with the Antelopes at one game apiece.

Esposito had the second two-homer game recorded by a Hornet this season after junior Andrew McWilliam homered twice at Utah Valley last Friday. Junior Ian Dawkins was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and James Outman and Kody Reynolds both had RBI hits. Senior Trent Goodrich also had a pair of hits for the Hornets, who scored five or more runs for the ninth time in the last 11 games.

The run support was more than enough for Brahms, who allowed a leadoff infield single to start the game but did not allow another hit until the seventh inning. The freshman earned his team-leading fourth win of the season, allowing just one run and four hits over 7.2 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.

Sacramento State's four-run fourth inning all came with two out and the bases empty. Dawkins singled, Outman doubled him home, and Reynolds followed with an RBI single. Esposito then hit a 2-run homer to left as the Hornets scored four runs on four hits over a span of just 10 pitches from Grand Canyon starter Jake Repavich.

The Hornets scored two more two-out runs in the sixth inning as Dawkins had a leadoff single and, with two away, Esposito blasted a home run over the scoreboard and high off the parking structure in left center.

Grand Canyon picked up a run in the eighth inning as Marc Mumper led off with a double and scored on a groundout. Sacramento State got the run back as freshman Ricky Martinez had a leadoff double and scored on Dawkins' third single of the game. After getting the last out in the eighth inning Austin Root set down the Lopes in order in the ninth to close the win.

Repavich was tagged with six runs off eight hits over seven innings to take the loss for GCU. The Antelopes left six men on base as Sacramento State pitchers held GCU to 0-of-13 hitting in the game with runners on base while the Hornets were 5-for-12 (.417) with men on base.

Prior to the game Mike Alberghini, Josh Payne, Brandon Marshall, David Flores, and Tim Wheeler as well as the 1986 and 1988 teams were inducted into the Sacramento State Baseball Hall of Fame. See more about the inductees here.

Sacramento State and Grand Canyon play the rubber game of their weekend series at noon Sunday with Hornet senior Max Karnos set to face Grand Canyon freshman Jack Schneider.