Seattle University held a five-run lead through five-and-a-half innings, but Sacramento State came back with runs in the sixth, seventh, and ninth innings to pull out an 8-7 victory Sunday afternoon at John Smith Field.
With one out in the top of the first, Cullen Hendrickson (Auburn, Wash.) singled and Doug Kincaid (Portland, Ore.) walked. After a groundout advanced both runners, Zach Aaker (Ravensdale, Wash.) doubled down the right field line to score Hendrickson and Kincaid, giving Seattle U an early 2-0 lead.
Sacramento State (4-3) answered with one run in the bottom of the first, but the Redhawks extended their lead in the second inning, starting with a leadoff double by Brian Olson (Black Diamond, Wash.). After Sean Narby (Auburn, Wash.) was hit by a pitch and stole second, Trent Oleszczuk (Beaverton, Ore.) drove in both players with a single to center field, giving Seattle U a 4-1 advantage.
The Hornets scored once in the bottom of the fifth, but the Redhawks answered again in the sixth inning, as Ryan Somers (Sammamish, Wash.) drew a leadoff walk, Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.) was hit by a pitch, and Oleszczuk walked to load the bases. Hendrickson drove in Somers with a sacrifice fly, and Kincaid followed with a walk that filled the bases again. Bryndon Ecklund (Elma, Wash.) drew a walk that forced in Latta, and Oleszczuk scored on a passed ball to give the Redhawks a 7-2 lead.
The Hornets manufactured a run in the bottom of the sixth, and Brent Hottman led off the seventh inning with a walk. After Eric Yardley (Richland, Wash.) came on in relief of Redhawk starter Garrett Anderson (Kennewick, Wash.), Andrew Ayers sent a double down the left field line that scored Hottman. After a single by David Del Grande, Derrick Chung's grounder to second base scored Ayers to cut the Seattle U lead to 7-5.
Seattle U had a chance to add to its lead in the top of the ninth by putting runners on first and third with one out, but Hornet reliever Hunter Greenwood came on and set down the next two Redhawks in order. Brandon Kizer (Marysville, Wash.) came on in the bottom of the ninth, walked Ayers, and hit Del Grande with a pitch. After both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Chung, Will Soto sent the first pitch he saw over the right field fence for a walk-off home run.
In all, Seattle U left 10 runners on base during the game as the Redhawks earned seven hits, drew nine walks, and was hit by a pitch twice. Hendrickson went 2-for-3 with a run scored, a run batted in, and a walk, while Olson finished the day 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. Anderson pitched 6 1/3 innings in his second career start for Seattle U, allowing six hits, two walks, and four earned runs while striking out two batters.
For Sacramento State, Ayers went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, while Del Grande and Rhys Hoskins each went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Seven different pitchers saw action for the Hornets, with Greenwood earning the victory.
Seattle University (3-4) will look to get back on track during a six-game homestand, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the first of a three-game series against Nebraska Omaha starting at 4 p.m. at Bannerwood Stadium in Bellevue, Wash.