A night of power in Mesa
The Sacramento State Hornets erupted in their Western Athletic Conference Tournament opener, posting a 9-4 win over Abilene Christian in Mesa, Arizona.
Senior Ryan Ellis anchored the offense, tying a school single-game record with three doubles and becoming the 15th Hornet to reach that mark in a contest.
Jace Jeremiah added a timely home run and drove in three runs, while his hitting streak stretched to nine games, extending a run that has become a cornerstone of the lineup.
The Hornets' bats were relentless, producing 12 hits in which seven went for extra bases, a testament to their aggressive approach at the plate.
On the mound, starter Ethan Lay delivered his ninth quality start of the season, setting the tone before a bullpen that featured Sean Carey's five-strikeout, two-inning effort and Trevor Wilson's sixth save of the year.
Reliever Erick Dessens and closer Brett Lanman combined for late-inning stability, while Jakob Poturnak and Cameron Sewell contributed key defensive plays, and Brett Ott continued his on-base streak.
What's next for the Hornets
Sacramento State will now travel to face Tarleton State, while Abilene Christian must win an elimination game against UT Arlington to stay alive in the tournament.
The performances of Ryan Ellis, Jace Jeremiah, Sam Harry and the rest of the roster have set a high bar for the upcoming matchups, promising more excitement for fans across the league.