by Zack Hall, Outpost Staff
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Nevada Baseball Sacramento State Baseball |
Sacramento State's baseball team is hardly considered one of the top squads in the Big West Conference. After three games last weekend at Peccole Park, it was apparent why.
The Wolf Pack dominated the Hornets for the majority of the series, sweeping the set be a combined score of 40-11. It was the third series in a row in which the pack put up- 40 or more runs in three games.
It was a much-needed sweep for Nevada because Cal State Fullerton, which leads the Pack by four games in the Big West standings, was able to sweep UC Santa Barbara. But Nevada was able to add a ga
Wolf Pack catcher Matt Ortiz swings for the oncoming train. Photo by Greg Foote. |
"It was a big series," coach Gary Powers said. "It keeps us in touch with everyone else. Long Beach and Fullerton didn't lose in their first two (games of the weekend). We needed to sweep to stay in the race."
Catcher Matt Ortiz led the way in Sunday's game, a 19-7 win. The junior was able to knock in eight runs while scoring three himself.
The highlight of Ortiz's day came in the first inning when he sent a shot over the left field fence with the bases loaded, hitting a passing train.
"I've had some good games before, Ortiz said. "It was my first grand slam this season. I had a couple last year.
"It's the eight RBI that I am happy about. Any time you can help the team by knocking in runs, you have got to be happy with it."
The bats of first baseman Don Price and rightfielder Lyle Overbay also helped out Nevada. The two players combined for six hits, four RBI and seven runs scored.
The sixth inning is where the Pack stung the Hornets. Nevada was holding on to a four-run lead when Overbay lead off the inning with a solo rocket shot over the center field wall, sending the outfield fans into a souvenir-induced scramble.
Nevada subsequently sent 13 more hitters to the plate, allowing 10 runs to score against three different Sac State pitchers.
"We're playing good on the offensive side of the ball right now," Overbay said. "It seems like every guy is contributing. One guy created a situation and the next guy keeps it going. We're doing it with team offense."
Freshman starter George Moran struggled in his winning performance. Moran had a difficult time with his pitch comman d, giving up five runs in five innings while walking three.
"I don't know what his problem is," Powers said. "We need a better effort from him if
Chad Qualls throws a pitch to a Sacramento State hitter. Photo by Greg Foote. |
The Nevada bullpen pitched four consecutive shutout innings to finish the game.
The second game of the series became the Don Price show. In possibly his best effort in a Wolf Pack uniform, Price went 4-for-5 with three home runs, eight RBI and four runs scored.
The result was a 16-4 shellacking of the Hornets.
Price was assisted by the first three batters in the Wolf Pack lineup, Justin Martin, Joe Inglett and Overbay. The top three hitters in the order combined to score nine runs.
"Our leaders are really stepping up," Powers said. "The thing for us is our first three are always on base. That gives Price a whole lot of chances to drive in runs. The key idea is to get on base."
Matt Rainer made his first start since the Pacific series three weekends ago. Rainer was able to produce seven innings, giving up two runs and only five base knocks in the outing.
The first game of the set was nothing like what Pack fans have come to expect at Peccole Park. It was a 5-2 pitchers' duel that finished in merely two hours and 20 minutes.
Nevada ace Chad Qualls dealt seven and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on six hits to push his season record to 10-1.
"The first game was a serious struggle Ortiz said. "Qualls really kept us in the game."
Hornets' starter pat Edwards put together some nice innings himself. Edwards pitched an eight-inning complete game, giving up four earned runs and nine hits.
Ortiz and Overbay were the only Nevada hitters to collect a multi-hit game with two hits each. Ortiz knocked in two runs while Overbay brought home one off a screaming double in the first inning. He would lat er score one of his two runs in the inning.
Senior closer Luke Drakulich nailed down the game with an inning-and-a-third of perfect baseball, including the ninth, in which he struck out the side.
Nevada will now take on Cal Poly in another Big West Conference showdown. The Mustangs were able to take one of three against Long Beach a week ago.
Friday's game will be at 2 p.m., while the weekend games at Peccole will see first pitch at 1 p.m.
Posted April 30, 1999
Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost
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