Box Score MESA, Ariz.--Sacramento State (37-22) defeated Bakersfield (26-33) 3-1 in the loser's bracket final of the WAC Tournament Saturday afternoon at Cubs Park.
Will Soto smacked his fifth home run of the season with one out in the top of the second to break the seal. The Hornets scored again in the fourth on a two-out Scotty Burcham infield single that plated Chris Lewis. Soloman Williams (Jr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) got the Roadrunners on the board in the sixth with a two-out RBI single that scored Oscar Sanay (Sr., Chula Vista, Calif., Bonita Vista HS).
Garrett Pierce (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) worked out a walk against Dillon to open the seventh and moved to second on a Ross Hough (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Central Arizona College) sacrifice bunt. Jordie Hein (Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) grounded out to second to move Pierce to third. Sanay hit a ball deep into the right-center gap that was tracked down by the Hornets' rightfielder Nathan Lukes to keep Sacramento State in the lead. With two outs in the top of the eighth, WAC Player of the Year Rhys Hoskins made it a 3-1 game with his 10th home run of the season.
Sacramento State pitchers Justin Dillon and Alex Palsha combined on a six-hitter. Dillon went the first seven. Palsha, who threw 52 pitches in a 3 1/3 inning Friday relief appearance, need only 14 pitches in the eighth and ninth to earn his fourth save of the year. The Hornets' duo would only need 103 pitches on the day to gain the victory.
Bakersfield starter Hayden Carter (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Vista HS) was the hard luck loser. He allowed six hits as he posted his second complete game in his last three starts. Carter struck out three and walked three as he recorded 116 pitches. Sanay had two of the Roadrunner hits. He also stole two bases.
With the loss, 'Runners head coach Bill Kernen, who announced his retirement May 8, ends his career with a record of 400-328-3 in 12 years as a collegiate head coach.
Sacramento State advanced to the Saturday night finals against Utah Valley.
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