In its second game of the River City Classic, the Sacramento State baseball team lost to the Portland Pilots 4-2 Friday afternoon. The rules of the round-robin tournament made the Pilots the home team even though the game was played at Hornet Field.

Portland rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the third inning which turned out to be the difference in the game. Junior designated hitter Paul Crowder drove in the first run on a one-out single to right field on a 3-0 count.

Then with the bases loaded, the Pilots drew two consecutive walks to add a pair of runs to the scoreboard. After freshman third baseman Kevin Armijo hit a run-scoring sacrifice fly, the Hornets were able to get out of the inning by retiring the next hitter.

Hornet coach John Smith was unhappy with the bases loaded walks that resulted in the eventual game-winning run.

“We got ourselves in trouble because we couldn’t throw strikes. Whether the umpire was squeezing us, that’s here nor there. We didn’t challenge the (Portland hitters). We didn’t go at them and force them to make contact so we could play catch,” Smith said.

Hornet junior pitcher Nick Buchta received the loss, allowing four earned runs on four hits and four walks in two and a third innings.

Pilot senior starting pitcher Ari Ronick collected his first win of the season, allowing two hits and striking out six in five shut-out innings.

The Hornets managed only five hits against the Pilots in the game, two of which were extra-base hits. Junior shortstop Blake Crosby hit a double down the left field line in the third inning and junior left fielder Gabe Jacobo hit his first home run of the season – a two-run blast in the eighth inning.

“I was just trying to hit the ball hard and get on base,” Jacobo said. “I got a fastball to drive and I was able to get through it.”

The Hornets will take on Utah Valley State at 2 p.m. on Mar. 8 at Hornet Field.

Andrew Eggers can be reached at [email protected]