With the game knotted at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth and a man on second, Wes Carswell’s only job was to get his teammate Matt Vera to third. With a sac bunt on the first pitch, Cal State L.A.’s catcher Cody Doyle rushed a throw to first for what looked to be an easy out. Instead, his hectic heave sailed past the infielder’s glove, letting Vera rush home to score the game-winning run.

SF State’s Nick Jackson slides home during the Gators game against the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles, at SF State’s Maloney Field, Sunday, April 13th, 2014. Photos by Gavin McIntyre / Xpress

The SF State baseball team mustered another comeback victory and brought out the brooms to cement their season series sweep against Cal State L.A. in a 5-4 win at home this past weekend.

“I know lead-off hitters are extremely important in that situation. You get the first one down, then you just make things happen,” Vera said. “The sweep is huge, especially if we want to compete for the playoffs. We really needed this one.”

The series sweep of the Golden Eagles was the first of the season for the Gators.

“This is a tough league; you don’t get too many opportunities to sweep,” said head coach Mike Cummins. “They’re the defending champions from last year and they’re having a little down year this year but they are still a very good team.”

After being held scoreless for six innings, the Gators were finally able to get on the scoreboard after a double by infielder Bryce Cherry drove in a pair of runs to tie the game at 2-2. The Golden Eagles responded with a two-run inning in the eighth but SF State did not let up as they answered with another two runs to tie the game again at 4-4 heading into the ninth.

SF State’s Joe Chedid misses the tag as Cal State L.A. Drew Vanisi slides to second base during the Gators game against the Golden Eagles, at SF State’s Maloney Field Sunday, April 13th.
Photo by Gavin McIntyre / Xpress

Starting pitcher Nolan Sheridan went seven innings and allowed six hits, four runs and two walks to go with four strikeouts. Relief pitcher Taylor Wade came in and was able to hold off the Golden Eagles from going on any sort of rally.

“The first guy came in and hit a double off me, scored one and I minimized after that,” Wade said. “I focused up, hit my spots and it ended with a great result.”

SF State baseball players congratulate Wes Carswell for hitting the winning RBI during the game against the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles, at SF State’s Maloney Field Sunday, April 13. Photo by Gavin McIntyre / Xpress

SF State is now 17-21 for the season and 12-16 in its conference. The team’s next game will be its series opener against UC San Diego at home April 17.