Preview: Winthrop Eagles at Sacramento State Hornets

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 20, 2026) (Interstat) — The Sacramento State Hornets will look to complete a series sweep when they host the Winthrop Eagles in the finale of a three-game set Saturday at John Smith Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PDT under clear skies with a forecast temperature of 85 degrees.

The Hornets (9-13) have dominated the first two games, outscoring the Eagles 13-0 on Friday and 13-1 on Thursday. Sacramento State’s offense erupted for 13 hits in the series opener, led by right fielder Erick Dessens, who went 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

All eyes will be on Sacramento State starter Ethan Lay (2-2, 3.86 ERA). The right-hander is coming off a dominant performance against these same Eagles on Thursday, tossing eight shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out 11. In his last two home starts, Lay has pitched 15 scoreless innings.

Winthrop (15-7), which had won five straight prior to this series, will seek to salvage a game and halt a suddenly stagnant offense. A player to watch for the Eagles is reliever Shane Keup, who provided a bright spot Thursday with 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief and three strikeouts against the Hornets’ lineup.

Despite the recent results, Interstat’s game simulator projects a close contest, favoring Winthrop 6-4.

Following Saturday’s game, Sacramento State begins a five-game road trip at Kansas on Tuesday. Winthrop returns home to open a four-game homestand against Davidson on Tuesday.