The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
Graphic created in Canva by Brionna Woody
The Buzz Ep. #2: When Swifties and BTS fandoms collide
Wan-Ling Yang, staffer • March 28, 2024
Here are some of the diverse women in the media industry who are making waves right now. From “Barbie” to “The Bear,” these women have starred in some of the most critically acclaimed shows and films. (Graphic created in Canva by Mia Huss)
Rewriting the script for diverse women in media
Mia Huss, Staffer • March 28, 2024
Senior shortstop Gunner Gouldsmith making a jumping play against UC Davis Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Gouldsmith extended his hitting streak to 18 to tie him with former Hornets Derek Brown and Blake Crosby for the seventh-longest hitting streak in school history.
Sac State falls in Causeway Rivalry rematch to UC Davis
Kai Arellano, Staffer • March 28, 2024
The 1980 western romance film called “Urban Cowboy” takes toxic love to new heights. (Graphic created in Canva by Alyssa Branum and photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Back to the 80s: 'Urban Cowboy'
Katelyn Marano, Copy Editor • March 28, 2024

Hornets blowout Northern Kentucky baseball team 10-0

Sacramento+State+sophomore+right+fielder+James+Outman+celebrates+with+teammates+after+he+hits+a+home+run+against+Northern+Kentucky+Saturday+at+John+Smith+Field.+%28Photo+by+Andro+Palting%29
Sacramento State sophomore right fielder James Outman celebrates with teammates after he hits a home run against Northern Kentucky Saturday at John Smith Field. (Photo by Andro Palting)

Sacramento State cruised to a 10-0 victory over Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon, making it three-straight wins for the baseball team in the four-game series.

Sac State freshman Parker Brahms pitched seven innings allowing three hits and zero runs while totaling nine strikeouts in his second start of the season. Brahms picked up his first career win, and brings his ERA to 0.69 on the year.

“All of my pitches were working today,” Brahms said. “I was just trying to throw strikes. If I did leave a ball in play, I knew I could trust my defense out there.”

Sac State (6-1) junior first baseman Vinny Esposito started the game with a two-run home run off of Parking Structure 1 in left field giving the Hornets a 2-0 lead over Northern Kentucky (1-5) in the second inning. Esposito, who has .080 batting average, said he was happy with his 2-for-5 performance at the plate.

“I finally hit the barrel,” Esposito said. “I wouldn’t say it has been getting gradually better, but it all got better in one swing.”

The Hornets extended their lead to 3-0 in the next inning on an RBI single up the middle from senior designated hitter Kody Reynolds. Junior left fielder Andrew McWilliam started the inning with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch, and got home on the base hit from Reynolds.

After Reynolds scored in the fifth inning, sophomore second baseman Devin Lehman hit a double in the gap to left center to get freshman catcher Dawsen Bacho across the plate in the sixth inning for a 5-0 lead. Northern Kentucky intentionally walked McWilliam to load the bases, which allowed sophomore right fielder James Outman to hit a grand slam — after an eight-pitch battle over the right field wall to extend the score to 9-0.

“With two strikes you have to cover the whole plate that plays into what you swing at and what you aren’t swinging at,” Outman said about his discipline at the plate. “I was thrown a couple changeups, a couple of fastballs I just got my pitch.”

After the grand slam, Reynolds reached base on a fielding error and ran to home plate following a double by senior third baseman Brandon Hunley to push the lead into double digits at 10-0.

Sacramento State right-handed freshman pitcher Parker Brahms pitches the ball against Northern Kentucky Saturday at John Smith Field. (Photo by Andro Palting)

Brahms finished just two innings short of a complete game shutout after exiting in the eighth inning with a pitch count at 92.

“It was 10-0 and early in the year only his second start,” Sac State coach Reggie Christiansen said about his decision to remove Brahms. “He was over 90 pitches and there was no reason to keep him in there.”

Sac State junior pitchers Jonny Palsha and Ryan Smith closed out the game by allowing zero runs and no hits en route to a 10-0 shutout win over Northern Kentucky.

The Hornets will look to complete a four-game sweep over Northern Kentucky at 1 p.m. Sunday at John Smith Field.

View Comments (1)
Donate to The State Hornet
$700
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Sacramento State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Max Jacobs, Author
Donate to The State Hornet
$700
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (1)

View our comment policy here.
Comments are Closed.
All The State Hornet Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest
  • Christina BrahmsFeb 27, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    It was nice meeting you over the weekend. I enjoy reading your articles regarding the Sac State Baseball team, thank you!
    -Christina Brahms