SACRAMENTO — Sacramento State nearly came back from a two-run deficit with a late ninth-inning rally on Tuesday night, pushing across a run and getting the tying run on base, but visiting Fresno State was able to wriggle off the hook, escaping John Smith Field with a 5-4 victory.
The Hornets fell to 7-9 overall, splitting the two midweek regular season meetings with their long-time California rivals following an 8-6 win in the first meeting back in February. The Bulldogs improved to 12-4 overall with the win.
Wasting little time, Fresno State got on the board quickly with back-to-back doubles to lead-off the game for the 1-0 lead and adding three more in the third thanks to a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and back-to-back RBI singles with two outs.
However, Sacramento State was quick to respond. Senior Gunner Gouldsmith extended his team-best hitting streak to nine consecutive games with a one-out bunt single and moved to second on a walk to JP Smith. That brought up senior Cesar Valero, who turned his team's fortunes around with a single swing, clearing the fence in the center field for his fourth home run of the year and make it a one-run game.
The home run was Valero's 27th of his career, passing Dawsen Bacho (2017-22) and moving him into a tie for seventh on the school's all-time list alongside Vinny Esposito (2015-18) and Tim Wheeler (2007-09).
Fresno State got one of the runs back in the sixth after two-out error prolonged the inning as an RBI double plated the Bulldogs' fifth run of the night, but Fresno State could muster no more.
That set the stage for the ninth inning as the Hornets tried to complete the comeback with only three outs to work with. Freshman
Cameron Sewell came through with two out, slamming a ball to the wall in right centerfield for a triple, and eventually scoring when
Brett Ott's ground ball was misplayed by a Bulldog infielder, making it 5-4.
Closer Tommy Hopfe, however, got Fresno State out of the jam, getting a pop-up to end the game, stranding the tying run.
Sophomore
Jacob Cortez led the Hornets with a 2-for-4 night at the plate while four other Hornets finished with hits.
Starter
Bryce Stockton (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing the three runs on three hits while pitching into the third inning, but limiting the damage for the first two innings, stranding three runners in scoring position. The Hornet bullpen then kept the Bulldogs close, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while striking out six over the final seven innings.
JT Guerrero (1-0) earned the win in relief for Fresno State, striking out a pair in 1.1 shutout innings, while Hopfe's save was his third of the year.
The schedule returns to Western Athletic Conference play this weekend as Sacramento State hits the road for only the second time this season after playing 15 of its first 16 at home. The Hornets travel to St. George, Utah, to take on Utah Tech on Friday (March 15) through Sunday (March 17). First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., 2 p.m., and 11 a.m., respectively.
