PHOENIX – Trailing by a run Saturday night, Sacramento State put runners on the corners in the ninth but came up short, falling to the #15 Sun Devils, 2-1, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

For the second straight night, Sacramento State (1-1) brought the late-inning drama to the table against #15 Arizona State (1-1). Down a run, the Hornets turned again to pinch-hitter Martin Vincelli-Simard to lead off the top of the ninth and again Vincelli-Simard came through, working a 12-pitch walk to put himself on base as the game's tying run.

An Aaron Zeidman single – his career-high fourth hit of the night – and a sacrifice fly by Keith Torres put runners at the corners with two outs for Sacramento State, but that was as close as things got as the Hornets left two runners on to end the game.

Earlier in the game, Sacramento State struck first, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a Dylan McPhillips solo home run. Making his first start of the year at catcher, McPhillips sent a pitch out to right-center for an opposite field home run, his first of the season.

The lead was short-lived for Sacramento State, however, as Arizona State answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, tagging Hornets' starter Travis Adams for two runs on four hits in the inning. 

That 2-1 score would hold for the remainder of the game and Adams, who allowed two runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings, took the loss. He struck out two and walked none in the effort.

Adams was relieved by Jack Zalasky, who took over with runners at second and third and one out in the fifth. Zalasky dealt his way out of trouble, striking out back-to-back batters to end the inning. The right-hander went on to throw 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out five.

Newcomer Rylan Tinsley made his Sacramento State debut Saturday night, throwing a scoreless eighth inning, walking a pair and striking out a pair.

While the Hornets were just as impressive on the mound Saturday as they were in Friday's opener, the offense took a step forward, outhitting the Sun Devils, 9-8.

Four of Sacramento State's hits came off the bat of right fielder Aaron Zeidman, a career-high for the sophomore. The Sacramento native finished 4-for-4 with a double in his first start of the 2021 season.

Ryan Walstad had two hits, joining Zeidman as the only Hornet with a multi-hit game. In addition to McPhillips, centerfielder Trevor Doyle and second baseman Jorge Bojorquez each had a hit, as well.

While the Hornets managed nine total hits, as well as two walks, they left 10 total runners on base Saturday night, including the game-tying and go-ahead runs in the ninth. Similarly, Arizona State left eight total runners on. Both teams committed one error.

The Hornets and Sun Devils will play for the series in tomorrow's rubber match. Sunday's first pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. MT / 11:35 a.m. PT. The game will again stream live on the Pac-12 Plus Network (subscription required) with live stats available at HornetStats.com.

More details on tomorrow's game – and all upcoming Hornet baseball games – can be found online at HornetSports.com. Fans can also keep up with the Hornets on the Hornet Sports Experience app.