Louisiana Tech took both halves of a doubleheader Sunday to complete a three game sweep over host, Sacramento State (10-26). The Hornets were out-hit 27 to 12 by the Bulldogs (29-14) in the two games. A rain out Saturday forced the two teams to make up the game Sunday.

Despite receiving strong performances by starters Trevor York and Mick Joyce, respectively, the hornets dropped the morning game 6-3 before being blown out 8-1 in the afternoon game.

30 mile an hour winds played an integral part in making pop flies less then routine in both games. Coach John Smith said that it is very difficult to play in that type of weather but both teams have to play in it. He added that La Tech did a great job of hitting the ball hard on the ground today.

“They did a really good job of staying inside the ball and hitting it back up the middle,” Smith said. “When you do that on a day like today (the ball) is going to find some holes.”

Sunday’s losses drop Sac State to 5-10 in WAC play, placing them in fifth place in the conference ahead of San Jose State and New Mexico State.

In the first game the Hornets jumped on the Bulldogs early via a triple to right field from shortstop Patrick Cummins in the first. Cummins came across to score the game’s first run when left fielder Ryan Blair followed him with a single to center.

After relinquishing the lead in the first, La Tech pitcher Ryan Rupert would settle in, allowing just two more hits and no runs over the next six innings.

The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the third. Left fielder Patrick Thomas lead off the inning with a single to second. Thomas advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt then went to third on a single from second baseman Drew Bunting.

After a wild pitch from Pitcher Trevor York allowed Bunting to move over to second, third baseman Courtney Jones tied the game at one with a two-out single to left. designated hitter Brandon Hudson followed suit with a double, bringing home Bunting to take a 2-1 lead.

The Bulldogs would extend the lead to 6-1 before Sac State would mount a comeback attempt scoring two in the bottom of the ninth but fell short, losing by a 6-3 final.

In the second game the Bulldogs were the ones who took an early lead, taking advantage of Joyce’s inability to locate to score two in the first. Joyce walked lead off man Nick Grunenwald, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Right Fielder Jericho Jones plated Grunenwald with a single up the middle to jump on top 1-0

After Jericho Jones advanced to second on a ground ball third baseman Courtney Jones drove him in with a two-out infield single up the middle.

Shortstop Blake Crosby made a difficult play to get to the ball, but he did not notice that Jericho Jones had rounded third just before he made a difficult throw to first. The throw pulled first baseman Wes Oberlin off the bag. Oberlin still had time to gun down Jericho Jones at the plate, but catcher Brett Tanigawa could not handle the low throw.

Two runs is all La Tech would need as pitcher Dylan Moseley allowed just five hits and one run in his complete game performance. Moseley’s gem would have been a 3 hit shut out if not for a bizarre double by first baseman Wes Oberlin in the second.

With two outs in the inning Oberlin hit a routine fly ball to shortstop. Simultaneously a very powerful gust of wind got a hold of the ball blowing it about 60 feet to the left. The ball landed just beyond the outstretched glove of Grunenwald the second baseman.

Oberlin ended up on second and scored the Hornets’ only run when third baseman David Flores drove him in with a line drive down the third base line.

La Tech would add 6 more runs to round out the 8-1 blowout victory and complete the three game sweep over the hornets.

“They came in on a mission to pay us back for taking 2-out-of-3 from them in their park and they did,” Smith said. “They’ve turned the corner and they’re playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of emotion right now.”

The Hornets will try to get back on track next weekend when they will visit San Jose State. The three game series will begin at 6 p.m. Friday in San Jose. The Hornets will also face UC Berkeley at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hornet field.

Mario Martin can be reached at [email protected]