After falling behind 5-3 in the eight inning, Sacramento State senior Pat Keiper delivered a 3-run double that helped the Hornets edge the visiting North Dakota State Bison 7-5 in the opening day of the River City Classic.

Strong pitching and timely hits proved key in the victory as Sac State improved its record to 5-6 overall and 4-0 at home.

The Hornets found themselves trailing the Bison throughout the game, but two swings of the bat proved to spark the Hornets on their way to victory.

Trailing in the eighth, the Hornets were able to capitalize on a hit batsmen and two walks that loaded the bases for Keiper, who delivered the final blow to the Bison. The double, Keiper’s fourth of the season, improved the seniors batting average to .444.

Senior Brian Blauser also came up big for the Hornets, sending a sixth inning, two-out, 2-2 pitch on to the top of the parking garage. The magnificent blast plated two Hornets and tied the game at 3. The shot was Blauser’s second home run of the season.

Sac State also received a solid performance from senior shortstop Everet Rincon, who finished the day 1-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Rincon also shined defensively, saving a run in the top of the eighth by throwing out North Dakota’s Gavin Hofer at home plate on a relay from short left field.

The Hornets received a strong pitching performance from junior right-hander Justin Deme, who threw seven innings of four-hit ball, giving up only 3 earned runs on his way to a no-decision.

Tallying the win for the Hornets was junior right-hander, Billy Sinacori who gave up 1 run in 2 innings of relief.

The Hornets had only 5 hits in the ball game, plating 5 of their 7 runs on two hits, Blauser’s 2-run homer and Keiper’s 3-run double.

Day two of the River City Classic pits Sac State against the Portland Pilots, Friday 2 p.m at Hornet Field.

Josh Oates can be reached at [email protected]