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The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Junior left fielder Erick Dessens stands on John Smith Field ahead of practice Saturday, July 11, 2026. Dessens leads the Hornets in batting average, OPS, RBIs and home runs for the 2026 season. Graphic made in Canva by Tamer Bohatch
No offers to no-doubters: Sac State slugger shines in the green and gold
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Editor • May 27, 2026
After two years at Paradise Valley Community College, junior left fielder Erick Dessens has transformed into Sac State’s premier slugger for the 2026 season.
Sacramento State baseball celebrates their walkoff win against Abilene Christian University on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Sophomore pinch hitter Michael Perazzo laid down a safety squeeze for the 4-3 walkoff in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Joust in time: Hornets outduel the Lancers in Riverside
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • May 14, 2026
Sacramento State baseball won the rubber match against Cal Baptist, scoring 19 runs on their way to an eight inning ten-run rule victory.
Major League Baseball introduced the Automated Balls and Strikes Challenge System to cut down on missed calls at the plate. (Photo by Jose Leon, Graphic by Jack Dann)
OPINION: The ABS system gives players the strike zone they deserve
Jaiden Lopez, Sports Staffer • May 12, 2026
Automated Balls-Strikes Challenging System is coming in to solve one baseball's oldest problems.
Senior pitcher Ethan Lay stands in front of the scoreboard at John Smith Field ahead of practice Thursday, April 30, 2026. Lay has dominated in his time with the green and gold, rising to be the team’s Friday night starter.
The heartbeat of the Hornets: Star senior excels on and off the field
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • May 8, 2026
After two years at Division ll Chico State, senior pitcher Ethan Lay has transformed his game at Sacramento State. Lay’s journey has been guided by his faith, family and coaches ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Sophomore pitcher Chase Sorlie throws a pitch as redshirt junior third baseman Jakob Poturnak sets his feet against Utah Valley University Saturday, April 11, 2026. The Hornets won the game on Saturday to win two of three in the series.
A tough time in a tough park: Hornets fall to the Aggies
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • May 8, 2026
Sacramento State baseball splits their season series against UC Davis with a 3-1 loss on the road despite outhitting the Aggies 8-7.
ophomore left fielder Brett Ott winces with a bat in his hand during Sac State’s game against Utah Valley University Saturday, April 11, 2026. The Hornets won their first Western Athletic Classic home series of the season, taking the opener and finale.
A claw-ful ending: Hornets succumb in extras to the Wildcats
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • May 4, 2026
Sacramento State now sits in fifth place with a record of 6-6 in the Western Athletic Conference. Head-to-head matchups push Sac State from a potential third all the way down to fifth place.
The Sacramento State men’s basketball team and documentary staff pose for photos after viewing the series premiere Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Sophomore guard Mikey Williams, who was the main focus of the episode, was not present during the screening. (Graphic created in Canva by Alex Grado)
‘Fear Nothing’ closes Mike Bibby’s first season at Sac State
Giancarlo Diloy and Alex Grado May 4, 2026
The first of the six-episode series “Fear Nothing: Sac State” premiered in the Hinde Auditorium last Wednesday, April 29, revealing an insider view behind the lives of the men’s basketball team. Sophomore guard Mikey Williams is spotlighted in the docuseries, which is expected to release publicly on The Roku Channel on May 1.
Senior outfielder Lafulafu Malepeai celebrates hitting a stand-up double against Portland State on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Malepeai is averaging .405 for the 2026 season and has brought the Hornets six doubles, three triples and 15 home runs.
Sac State raids the Vikings for a Senior Day sweep
Jaiden Lopez, Sports Staffer • May 1, 2026
Sacramento State swept Portland State in their last Big Sky Conference series. The Hornets completed their senior weekend with three wins across the board.
Redshirt junior third baseman Jakob Poturnak rounds the bases after his home run against the University of the Pacific Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Hornets went on to win the game in seven innings by a score of 10-0.
Nev-ada in doubt! Hornets sweep season series against the Wolfpack
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • April 30, 2026
Sacramento State baseball scored 13 runs on their way to sweeping the two game series against Nevada on the season.
Junior quarterback Carson Conklin rolls out to throw during Sac State’s annual spring game Saturday, April 25, 2026. Conklin made his return to Sac State after spending last season at Fresno State.
From Go-Go to Zo: Sac State ushers in FBS era
Alex Grado, Sports Staffer • April 29, 2026
The defense stood out in Sacramento State’s spring game, as the team prepares to show it’s ready for the big stage.
Sophomore left fielder Brett Ott walks back to the dug out after an at-bat against Fresno State Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Sacramento State went on to lose the contest by a score 2-1.
Toe-to-toe with the Bruins: Sac State holds their own against No. 1 UCLA
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • April 28, 2026
Sacramento State baseball proved they can hang with the best teams in the country for the second time this season, beating No. 1 ranked UCLA in their final game of their road series.
Junior pitcher Sean Carey hurls a pitch against Utah Valley University Saturday, April 11, 2026. Sacramento State went on to win two of three in the series.
Moo-ove over, the Hornets are here: Sac State takes over UC Davis
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • April 24, 2026
Sacramento State baseball got off to an early lead off an early home run and extended their lead late, to beat their Causeway Classic rivals, UC Davis by a score of 2-1.
Senior pitcher Kennedie Bacon is in the circle for Sacramento State facing off against Montana on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Bacon is sitting at 3.49 ERA with 60 strikeouts for the 2026 season.
Sac State saves their best for last against Idaho State
Jaiden Lopez, Sports Staffer • April 24, 2026
Sacramento State drops games one and two but rallies late in game three.
The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. National champion and senior quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to become the number one overall pick. (Graphic created by Alex Grado)
On the clock: A 2026 NFL Draft Preview
Alex Grado, Sports Staffer • April 22, 2026
State Hornet sports staffer Alex Grado projects the top of the draft, while highlighting some surprises and predicting the Rookie of the Year. Senior Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to become the No. 1 overall pick.
Senior pitcher Ethan Lay stands in front of the scoreboard at John Smith Field ahead of practice Thursday, April 30, 2026. Lay has dominated in his time with the green and gold, rising to be the team’s Friday night starter.
The heartbeat of the Hornets: Star senior excels on and off the field
Tamer Bohatch, Sports Staffer • May 8, 2026
After two years at Division ll Chico State, senior pitcher Ethan Lay has transformed his game at Sacramento State. Lay’s journey has been guided by his faith, family and coaches ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Graphic made in Canva by Evan Patocka
Swarm Report: Sac State football falls short against UC Davis, volleyball brings home Big Sky Championship
Mateo Davis, Kai Arellano, and Aaron Lofton December 6, 2024
Mateo Davis, Kai Arellano and Aaron Lofton return to talk about the latest in Sac State sports, discussing football’s loss against UC Davis and volleyball taking home the Big Sky Championship.
VIDEO
Managing editor Magaly Muñoz and sports staff writer Jordan Latimore sit down and talk to Samaad Hector, who left the Sacramento State men’s basketball team before the fall 2021 semester.
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