Hornets sweep South Dakota State

Jerod Moreno

Sacramento State’s stellar pitching led to a 4-0 shutout victory for the Hornets against South Dakota State University on Tuesday afternoon.

After rain put a hindrance on Sacramento State’s (7-3) four-game series with South Dakota State University (0-10), play resumed at Klein Family Field on the campus of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.

Sac State starting pitcher Max Karnos pitched a commanding five innings, allowing only two hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore relief pitcher Austin Root added two innings striking out three while allowing no hits. Junior pitcher Chad Perry threw one inning while only allowing one hit. Tyler Beardsley closed the game out with a hitless inning of his own. The Hornet staff combined for a three-hit shutout.

The Hornets wasted no time as they scored a quick two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Junior left fielder Blake Edmonson led the inning off with single up the middle. Senior shortstop Trent Goodrich followed with an RBI double and scored on an RBI single by Vinny Esposito two batters later.

The Hornets tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning on back-to-back doubles by junior designated hitter Kody Reynolds and junior catcher Gunner Pollman.

The Hornets added on a final insurance run in the bottom of the ninth inning on a leadoff triple in the left-center field gap by Edmonson. Edmonson scored on the very next at bat when Goodrich hit an RBI single through the infield.

Goodrich led the Hornet offense by going a perfect three for three on the day, including a double and two RBI. Edmonson added two hits, including a triple and two runs scored. Pollman and Reynolds each added a double. Esposito had a hit and an RBI. Bronson Grubbs also added a hit for the Hornets.

Sacramento State will be hosting the University of Nevada, Reno on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Raley Field, the home of the San Francisco Giants minor league-affiliated Sacramento River Cats.