The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor

Noah Alvarez, Author

All content by Noah Alvarez
Sacramento State junior second baseman Zamari Hinton throws the ball to first base for a double play against UC Santa Barbara on March 28 at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Sac State softball team eliminated from Big Sky Tournament

Noah Alvarez
May 15, 2017

The Sacramento State softball team scored 26 runs during the Big Sky Tournament but fell twice to Idaho State for the second year in a row Friday in Ogden, Utah. Each of the nine hitters in the starting...

Shae Khan is captain of the CSUS Debate Team. (Photo courtesy of Jared Anderson)

Sac State debater first ever to advance in national tournament

Noah Alvarez
May 9, 2017

After falling short of the elimination rounds last year, Sacramento State debater Banafshae ‘Shae’ Khan became the first debater in school’s history to advance to the elimination rounds and finished...

Former Sacramento State quarterback Nate Ketteringham throws the ball against Western Oregon at Hornet Stadium on Sept. 3, 2016. Sources reveal that Ketteringham is expected to transfer to North Dakota. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Sac State starting quarterback transfers, leaves position up in the air

Noah Alvarez
May 7, 2017

After back-to-back 2-9 seasons, the Sacramento State football team will look for a new quarterback in 2017 to lead them to an above .500 record for the first time since 2014. Two-year starting junior...

Sacramento State freshman outfielder Suzy Brookshire broke the school record for most home runs in a season with 13 on April 22. Brookshire leads the team with a .363 batting average and a .719 slugging percentage. (Photo by Michael Zhang)

Softball slugger shatters single-season home run record

Noah Alvarez
May 3, 2017

Freshman outfielder Suzy Brookshire hit her first collegiate home run on Feb. 25 — two months later, she bashed her way into the softball history books after hitting her 13th home run of the season. Brookshire,...

The Sacramento State softball team celebrates a home run by freshman Mo Spieth against Northern Colorado Saturday at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Michael Zhang)

Hornets sweep Northern Colorado, move up to 4th place in Big Sky

Noah Alvarez
April 30, 2017

In its final home series of the year, the Sacramento State softball team executed a three-game sweep over Northern Colorado this weekend at Shea Stadium. The Hornets (18-25-1, 8-9 Big Sky Conference)...

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, black people and white people in the United States use marijuana at a comparable rate, yet black people are 3.7 times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana. (Graphic by Pierce Grohosky)

OPINION: Minorities face much greater marijuana stigma

Noah Alvarez
April 20, 2017

A family member once said to me, “If it’s all white, then it’s alright.” The more I pay attention, the more I find this to be true, both regarding law enforcement and the public’s views of...

Sacramento State senior pitcher Taylor Tessier throws the ball for a strike against Montana on April 9 at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Raul Hernandez)

Hornets fall to No. 22 ranked Cal softball team 2-0

Noah Alvarez
April 19, 2017

Despite holding the No. 22 ranked Cal Golden Bears to only two runs, the Sacramento State softball team only collected two hits in a 2-0 loss Wednesday at Shea Stadium. The Hornets, who were no-hit...

Sacramento State student Olivia Kite, left, assisted by Conner Marotte and RPTA volunteer Ashley Leyva, right, while using a pulley system to help her climb up the rock walls at The WELL. (Photo by Rin Carbin)

Sac State program helps individuals with disabilities reach new heights

Noah Alvarez
April 19, 2017

One of Sacramento State’s latest all-inclusive recreation programs is helping students of all abilities to challenge themselves in new ways. In 2014, The WELL started a program called “All-In-Recreation”...

Former Sacramento State shortstop Scott Burcham played for the Israeli National team during the World Baseball Classic after finishing his season with the Colorado Rockies’ Single-A affiliate, the Asheville Tourists. (Photo courtesy of Scott Burcham)

Burcham helps lead Israel to World Baseball Classic success

Noah Alvarez
April 5, 2017

It was a tie game between South Korea and Israel, and former Sacramento State baseball player Scott Burcham stepped up to the plate with an opportunity to win the first game of the World Baseball Classic. Burcham,...

Sacramento State senior guard Emily Easom loses control of the ball after driving to the basket against Rebekah Hatchard of Montana State at the Nest on Feb. 18. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

OPINION: Causeway Cup rivalry cause for Hornets’ ‘March sadness’

Noah Alvarez
March 29, 2017

When college rivalries come to mind, one typically pictures both universities close to each other geographically and competitively — but that hasn’t been the case for Sacramento State and UC Davis...

Sacramento State junior second baseman Zamari Hinton throws the ball to first base for a double play against UC Santa Barbara on March 28 at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Sac State strands four runners in 4-0 loss to Gauchos

Noah Alvarez
March 28, 2017

Despite only allowing four hits, the Sacramento State softball team lost 4-0 after stranding four runners on base to the visiting UC Santa Barbara Gauchos Tuesday at Shea Stadium. The Hornets (11-15,...

Sacramento State junior second baseman Zamari Hinton throws to first base for an out against UC Davis at Shea Stadium on Feb. 21. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Sac State softball team continues ‘working out the kinks’

Noah Alvarez
March 27, 2017

With more losses than wins halfway through the season, the Sacramento State softball team looks to turn things around just as it did a season ago. The Hornets (11-14-1) find themselves in a similar...

Sacramento State alumnus Rhys Hoskins earned Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, first team All-WAC, second team All-West Region by Rawlings and named third team All-American by Collegiate in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Bob Solorio/Sac State Athletics)

Sac State alumnus Rhys Hoskins competes for spot on MLB roster

Noah Alvarez
March 16, 2017

After receiving the Philadelphia Phillies minor league co-Player of the Year award in 2016, Sacramento State alumnus Rhys Hoskins is swinging for a spot on its MLB roster this season. Hoskins, 23, was...

Sacramento State softball team huddles up before the second game of a doubleheader against Nevada Wednesday at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Raul Hernandez)

Softball team shuts out Nevada in doubleheader

Noah Alvarez
March 8, 2017

The Sacramento State softball team pitched a shutout in its doubleheader against Nevada for two wins Wednesday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The Hornets put together a total of three home runs, 14 hits,...

Sacramento State senior pitcher Taylor Tessier winds up for the first pitch of the game against Seton Hall Tuesday at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Cassie Dickman)

Sac State draws with Seton Hall 2-2 after 10-inning pitching duel

Noah Alvarez
March 8, 2017

Despite going into extra innings, the Sacramento State softball team and Seton Hall only scored two runs a piece which led to a 2-2 tie at Shea Stadium due to the lack of sunlight. Sac State coach Lori...

Sacramento State senior captains Nick Hornsby and Eric Stuteville have helped leading mens basketball team to a 8-8 record in the Big Sky Conference. (Photo by Matthew Nobert)

Senior big-men tandem leads the frontcourt for men’s basketball team

Noah Alvarez
March 1, 2017

Like the trees on campus, Sacramento State men’s basketball seniors Nick Hornsby and Eric Stuteville tower over other competitors with their low-post tandem in the Big Sky Conference. At 6-foot-11,...

The Sacramento Kings traded three-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 19. (Photo courtesy of Mike/Wikimedia Commons)

Sacramento Kings drop the ball with DeMarcus Cousins trade

Noah Alvarez
February 24, 2017

The recent trade of NBA All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans has the Sacramento Kings’ faithful rolling their eyes thinking “here we go again.” And rightfully so; this...

Sacramento State senior catcher Nikki Gialketsis swings and makes contact on a ball thrown by UC Davis Tuesday at Shea Stadium. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Softball team edged by UC Davis in home opener 4-3

Noah Alvarez
February 21, 2017

On an afternoon that featured a 30-minute rain delay, the Sacramento State softball team battled the weather and rival UC Davis, falling 4-3 in its home opener Tuesday at Shea Stadium. The Hornets...

Sacramento State senior guard Trevis Jackson prepares to shoot a free throw against Idaho State on Feb. 11. (Photo by Michael Zhang)

Jackson: verified on Twitter and on the basketball court

Noah Alvarez
February 14, 2017

Sacramento State’s lone verified student-athlete Trevis Jackson may be identifiable on Twitter, but wasn’t easily recognizable on the basketball court until his senior year. Jackson formerly co-starred...

Sacramento State senior running back Jordan Robinson runs for a big gain against Portland State at Hornet Stadium on Nov. 12. Sac State recruited three high school running backs to replace Robinson and senior running back Demetrius Warren on Feb. 1.

Football team lands three running back recruits on National Signing Day

Noah Alvarez
February 13, 2017

With the departure of senior running backs Jordan Robinson and Demetrius Warren, Sacramento State brought in three high school running backs on National Signing Day to compete next season. Last year,...

The Sacramento State mens rowing club won the 2016 Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship after defeating UC Barbara and UC Berkeley last season. (Photo courtesy of Morgan Mahan)

Sac State men’s rowing club aims to build character

Noah Alvarez
February 9, 2017

It’s 5:30 a.m. and most Sacramento State students are sleeping, but the men’s rowing club is on its way to Lake Natomas for an intense workout. Five days a week you can catch the club at the crack...

The Sacramento State baseball team will play its first full season with lights at John Smith Field in 2017. Sac State brings back 15 players, including seven positional starters, three starting pitchers and five bullpen players. (Photo by Sheldon Kohatsu)

Baseball team prepares to turn the lights on the 2017 season

Noah Alvarez
February 2, 2017

A young Sacramento State baseball team looks to take another step in the right direction in 2017 — the first full season with lights at John Smith Field. The Hornets finished the 2016 season 30-28...

The Sacramento State softball team is projected to finish in second place by the Big Sky coaches preseason poll. Sac State finished last year with a 28-22 overall record and 16-6 in back-to-back conference seasons. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Softball team looks to make first-place leap in 2017

Noah Alvarez
January 31, 2017

After three consecutive seasons with top-three finishes in the Big Sky Conference, the Sacramento State softball team is looking to get over the hump and win its first conference championship. A young...

Sacramento State mixed martial arts clubs goal is to teach students self-defense. Andrew Verdi, the founder of the club in 2010, thought of the idea after hearing about a fellow resident of the American River Courtyard dorms abduction and assault. (Photo Courtesy of Melissa Enamorado/Sac State MMA Club)

The ‘self-defense’ club: MMA enthusiasts practice punches on campus

Noah Alvarez
December 10, 2016

After hearing about a kidnapping near the dorms in 2010, Andrew Verdi, the founder of the Sacramento State mixed martial arts club, had one goal: to teach students self-defense. Verdi lived in the American...

Sacramento State water polo club at the pool at Yosemite Hall on Sunday, Dec. 4. Co-founder and junior Luis Barraza was able to get the club recognized as an official club sport in only four days. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Former high school teammates bring water polo to campus

Noah Alvarez
December 9, 2016

After a mournful trip to their hometown of Porterville, Sacramento State students Luis Barraza and AJ Dodd found the inspiration to start a water polo club after the passing of their former teammate. Barraza...

Sacramento State senior Aaron Beverly was named the Big Sky Mens Golfer of the Year for the second straight season on April 25 and won the Big Sky Tournament Sunday as both an individual and a member of the team. (Photo by Michael Zhang)

Men’s golf team meets midseason point, looks toward February

Noah Alvarez
December 5, 2016

The Sacramento State men’s golf team wrapped up its first half of the season with a 17th-place finish in the Ka’anapali Classic Collegiate Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Nov. 6. The Hornets...

Senior forward Alex Bettencourt takes off his shirt after scoring a game-winning goal against Portland at Hornet Field on Sept. 15. Bettencourt is one of seven players on the mens soccer team to earn all-Big West Conference honors in 2016. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Men’s soccer team makes program history, looks to continue success

Noah Alvarez
November 21, 2016

The 2016 Sacramento State men’s soccer team made history after making an appearance in the Big West Tournament semifinals and having seven players earn all-conference honors — a program record. After...

Sacramento State senior forward Alex Bettencourt kicks the ball to a teammate against UC Riverside at Hornet Field on Nov. 5. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Men’s soccer falls in Big West semifinals after penalty-kick shootout

Noah Alvarez
November 10, 2016

Sacramento State men’s soccer team’s postseason run comes to an end after being defeated by Cal State Northridge by way of penalty kicks (6-5) Wednesday night at Matador Soccer Field. The Hornets...

Sacramento State senior forward Alex Bettencourt dribbles the ball past a San Jose State defender at Hornet Field on Sept. 18. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Trio of seniors elevates men’s soccer team to program history

Noah Alvarez
November 4, 2016

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team is headed by three top leading scorers who all have one thing in common — seniority — but their journeys could not be more different. Senior forwards Alex...

Sacramento State men’s volleyball club looks to get back into the top 10 in the 2016-17 season after falling out of it with a 19th-place finish last season. (Photo courtesy of Sac State mens volleyball club)

Men’s volleyball club set on bringing back national success

Noah Alvarez
October 29, 2016

After finishing in ninth place for three straight years before a 19th-place finish in 2015, the Sacramento State men’s volleyball club is hungry to bring a national championship to campus. Sac State’s...

Sacramento State junior forward Cylus Sandoval fights off Josue Espana of UC Santa Barbara for the ball at Hornet Field on Wednesday, Oct. 26. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Despite falling 1-0, men’s soccer clinch home-field postseason game

Noah Alvarez
October 27, 2016

In Sacramento State’s senior day and final home match of the regular season, the men’s soccer program fell 1-0 to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday in the final minutes. The Hornets (8-7-2, 4-4-1 Big...

Sacramento State senior outside hitter Madeline Cannon goes for a kill against Idaho on Oct. 20 at the Hornets Nest. (Photo by Bob Solorio/Sac State Athletics)

Hornets begin four-game homestand with 3-0 sweep over Idaho

Noah Alvarez
October 21, 2016

The Sacramento State volleyball team made quick work of Big Sky opponent Idaho in the team’s first home game in three weeks with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-18) sweep on Thursday. The Hornets’ (12-11,...

Sacramento State senior Tony Delgado prepares to grapple against a Fresno State opponent in his first season with the wrestling club. Delgado qualified for nationals after placing third in the 165-pound weight class at the West Coast conference tournament. (Photo courtesy of Tony Delgado)

Senior grappler aims for All-American status on wrestling mat

Noah Alvarez
October 20, 2016

After a four-year hiatus from wrestling, Sacramento State senior Tony Delgado has reached nationals and is aspiring to achieve more in his second year with the club. Delgado, 23, discovered the team...

Sacramento State junior forward Cylus Sandoval prepares to pass the ball against Cal Poly at Hornet Field on Wednesday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Hornet soccer shuts out Cal Poly, 1-0

Noah Alvarez
October 19, 2016

Sacramento State men’s soccer jumped into second place in the Big West North conference standings after defeating conference opponent Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1-0 on Wednesday at Hornet Field. With...

Sacramento State’s bass fishing club President Tanner Austin competed against 80 different colleges in nationals and finished with a top 25 ranking. (Photo by Diana Rykun)

Bass fishing club president wants a perfect catch

Noah Alvarez
October 17, 2016

Fishing is more than just a hobby for Sacramento State’s bass fishing club President Tanner Austin — it’s a lifestyle and a possible career path. Coming out of Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado...

Vin Scully: broadcaster goes beyond baseball for Sac State professionals

Vin Scully: broadcaster goes beyond baseball for Sac State professionals

Noah Alvarez
October 12, 2016

The little boy who became a New York Giants fan in 1936 ironically broadcasted his final game for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants in 2016. Longtime Major League Baseball broadcaster...

Former Sacramento State shortstop Scott Burcham played for the Israeli National team during the World Baseball Classic after finishing his season with the Colorado Rockies’ Single-A affiliate, the Asheville Tourists. (Photo courtesy of Scott Burcham)

Hornet alumnus starred for Israel in World Baseball Classic

Noah Alvarez
October 6, 2016

From growing up idolizing his father’s pursuit of Major League Baseball, to boosting the Israeli national team into the World Baseball Classic, former Sacramento State baseball player Scott Burcham has...

Senior forward Alex Bettencourt looks to dribble past defender Jake Rudel of Saint Marys on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 at Hornet Field. (Photo by Rich Merrill)

Hornets clinch Copa De Causeway in 1-1 draw against Gaels

Noah Alvarez
September 25, 2016

Sacramento State men’s soccer team won the Copa De Causeway tournament after its second match of the two-day event ended in a 1-1 draw against Saint Mary’s on Saturday at Hornet Field. The Hornets...

Junior Gracie Albano has finished in the top seven in the first two cross country events this season: the Aggie Open and the Speedway Dual. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Cross country captain is off to the races

Noah Alvarez
September 22, 2016

One of Sacramento State’s best cross country runners is an athlete who didn’t pick up the sport until five years ago as a sophomore in high school. Gracie Albano, 20, has emerged as one of the key...

From left, Nutritional Advisor Randi McCreary, Lacrosse Club President Charles Serna and goalie Nicolas Plata-Escobar sit at the booth for their new club that brought lacrosse back. (Photo by Francisco Medina)

Students help bring new sporting clubs to campus

Noah Alvarez
September 21, 2016

After piles of paperwork, countless efforts spent promoting and dozens of hours of completing miscellaneous tasks, the women's softball club and the lacrosse club were introduced as the two newest sporting...

Senior forward Alex Bettencourt dribbles the ball passed a San Jose State defender at Hornet Field on Sept. 18, 2016. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Hornets undefeated at home after 3-2 conquest over visiting Spartans

Noah Alvarez
September 19, 2016

A strong first half boosted the Sacramento State men’s soccer team to a 3-2 victory over San Jose State on Sunday at Hornet Field, giving them a 2-0 record at home this season. The victory — in...

Junior forward Kassidy Kellogg celebrates with her teammates after her goal against Pacific, Sep. 11, 2016 at Hornet Field.  Kellogg scored the only goal for the Hornets in a 1-1 tie.
(Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Hornets comeback against Pacific in 1-1 draw

Noah Alvarez
September 12, 2016

Sacramento State women’s soccer came back to force two overtime periods but only netted one goal against the University of Pacific, resulting in a 1-1 draw on Sunday. The tie, which is the Hornets’...

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