The “Damage Boys” have been making magical things happen on the Sacramento State baseball diamond seemingly every game this season.

Returning juniors Chris Kinsey and Jesse Schmidt and junior transfer Mikela Olsen have been swinging big and coming out triumphant at the plate for the Hornets.

“These boys put damage in the middle of the lineup,” said head coach John Smith, who dubbed the trio with their nickname. “They dominate most teams and they put lots of pressure on pitchers.”Kinsey — a pitcher and first baseman — is closing in on the all-time career home run record of 35, set by Harvey Hargrove in 1997.

He hit his 28th career home run on Saturday, putting him one step closer to breaking the record.

“I’m not really thinking about it,” Kinsey said. “If I get the record that would be great, if not, it isn’t a big deal.”

His 16 home runs last season led the team. The Elk Grove native has five home runs, is second on the team in RBI and is tied for first in hits so far this season.

But Kinsey is not satisfied just yet. In fact, he feels that he should be doing better, putting an emphasis on hitting the ball harder and playing good baseball, instead of worrying about records.

“Our goal is to keep swinging the bat and hitting the ball well,” Kinsey said.

Olsen, an outfielder, is having an amazing year at the plate as well. He admits after hitting his 10th home run of the season on Saturday that his success hasn’t been that much of a surprise.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Olsen said. “I did a lot of hard work in the off-season.” Olsen is also leading the team in slugging percentage, batting average, doubles, triples and RBI.

The Oakhurst native raises hopes each time at-bat, leaving the fans watching from the parking garage begging for more.

“I feel a bit of pressure,” he said. “It is as if people expect me to do something big every time I get up to the plate. I just try to keep myself as calm as possible.”

Schmidt, a fellow outfielder, is also on pace for a memorable season.

He has hit four home runs on the season and is tied for first on the team in stolen bases.

“This year I’m more focused,” Schmidt said. “My mental game has stepped up a lot. I have a more intense focus on getting the job done.”

I’ve never really been a home run hitter, I usually hit for average and I usually hit doubles.”

The San Diego native is ecstatic about his performances so far this season, but he admits that his place in the lineup is helping him out.

“Hitting behind Kinsey and Olsen, I get a lot of good pitches,” Schmidt said.

The lineup that has Kinsey batting third, Olsen batting fourth in clean-up and Schmidt batting fifth, has been consistently causing problems for the opposition.

“To say I’m pleased with them is an understatement,” Smith said.

Olsen, Kinsey and Schmidt are getting their job done, creating numerous problems for every opponent that they face. An opposing pitcher doesn’t have to deal with just one great hitter, he has to deal with three all-star hitters in a row.

All three players just want their team to succeed.

“We really just want to keep winning games,” Kinsey said.

The trio isn’t worrying about personal records or statistics, all they want is to play on a successful team, and so far their bats are helping to make that a reality.

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