Sac State baseball team drops series opener against Penn State, 4-2

The State Hornet


Sacramento State freshman Ricky Martinez swings before making contact with the ball against Penn State Thursday at John Smith Field. (Photo by Myha Sandeford)
The Sacramento State baseball team returned home with a 4-2 loss to Penn State in the first matchup of a three-game series at John Smith Field Thursday night.
Sac State senior pitcher Justin Dillon (2-1, 1.24 ERA), who entered the game only giving up two hits in his first three starts of the season, gave up three runs on three hits (two solo home runs) in seven innings of work.
“I felt good, but I felt like my mechanics were a little shaky,” Dillon said about his night on the mound. “My fastball command wasn’t as good tonight. I was also getting behind in some (pitch) counts.”
Dillon gave up no hits and picked up five strikeouts through the first four innings of the game, but the Hornets’ lineup only managed two hits through those innings against the Nittany Lions.
Penn State senior left fielder Nick Riotto lead off the fifth inning with a solo home run to right field to break up the scoreless game. Dillon then hit freshman designated hitter Braxton Giavedoni with a pitch; Giavedoni advanced to second on a wild pitch and was driven home on an RBI double from freshman center fielder Mason Nadaeu for a 2-0 lead.
“I ended up losing a changeup up (in the strike zone),” Dillon said about the fifth inning home run. “(Riotto) had a great swing on it.”
Sacramento State senior pitcher Justin Dillon throws the ball to home plate against Penn State Thursday at John Smith Field. (Photo by Myha Sandeford)Penn State (5-7) added to its lead in the top of the sixth courtesy of a solo home run by sophomore right fielder Jordan Bowersox. Bowersox, who is hitting .417 this season, went 1-for-4 ...

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