Box Score IRVINE, Calif. – Sacramento State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead Saturday night at UC Irvine, but the Anteaters clawed their way back in before moving ahead to defeat the Hornets, 3-2.
With the loss, Sacramento State falls to 8-6 overall, including 0-2 on the road. UC Irvine, meanwhile, improves to 8-6 overall, as well.
The Hornets jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. With two outs, senior Matt Smith doubled down the left field line before Ryan Walstad drew a walk.
Dawsen Bacho delivered the biggest hit of the night for the Hornets, doubling home both Smith and Walstad with two outs in the first inning to put Sacramento State ahead, 2-0. The double was Bacho's fourth of the season and gave him RBIs eight and nine, both tied for the team lead so far this season.
The early offense turned out to be all of the offense on Saturday as Sacramento State managed just three hits the rest of the night.
Hornets starter Scott Randall did his part to keep the Hornets in the game, allowing just three runs over 6.2 innings of work. The junior right-hander scattered six hits, struck out seven, and did not walk a batter on Saturday, but was still charged for three runs.
UC Irvine struck first in the home half of the first, scoring on an RBI-double two batters into the game. The Anteaters then tied the game in the third on a Mike Peabody solo home run before completing the comeback with an RBI-single in the fourth.
Sacramento State had a chance to tie the game in the seventh inning after Trevor Doyle singled before advancing to third with two outs. Unfortunately, a Chris Gonzalez strike out ended the inning, leaving Doyle stranded at third.
This weekend's series comes to a close tomorrow afternoon when Sacramento State and UC Irvine face off again at 1 p.m. at Anteater Ballpark. The Hornets will turn to sophomore right-hander Travis Adams to help avoid a sweep. UC Irvine's starter is TBD.
Live audio for the game will stream online at KUCI.org. Live stats are also available online at HornetSports.com.
