The Sacramento State baseball team had another monster performance from one of its power hitters this weekend, as the Hornets split a two game non-conference series at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

The Hornets are 12-9 after the weekend while the Mustangs stand at 13-17-1.

Last week, catcher Joe Evans batted .700 (7-for-10) and smashed four home runs and 12 RBIs in a three-game series against Washington State University.

This time, it was sophomore first baseman Chris Kinsey who had the hot bat, going 4-of-5 with three homeruns, a new single-game record, and eight RBIs in the Hornets? convincing 18-3 game 2 victory. Game 3, scheduled for Sunday, was canceled due to rain.

Kinsey was a late addition to the lineup Saturday, as a ground ball caromed off of his forehead in a 12-4 loss in Game 1. Coach John Smith decided at the last minute to start Kinsey as a designated hitter, and his decision paid immediate dividends.

“He did have some swelling and a bruise on the right side of his face, but he gave us the OK to start him as the DH,” assistant coach Brian Hewitt said. “Obviously, it didn?t affect him too much because he got started early.”

Kinsey opened up the scoring in the first inning with a three-run shot before the first out of the game was recorded. He then connected on a two-run homerun in the fourth inning and then added another three-run blast in the sixth to give Sac State a13-3 lead.

Kinsey quickly answered any doubts about him playing.

“This is no surprise,” Hewitt said. “Kinsey has the ability to get in zone like this in any game.”

Freshman Everet Rincon had his best offensive performance of the season, going 5-for-6 and scoring four runs while junior Danny Gill and freshman Matt Wilson added a homerun apiece.

Evans, last week?s Big West Conference player of the week, extended his hitting streak to 11 games by going 1-for-5.

“Rincon busted out (Saturday)” Hewitt said. “He looked very relaxed at the plate. He was in control of every at-bat.”

Sac State?s offensive onslaught ? 18 hits, five home runs and 36 total bases ? was complemented by its defense and pitching.

Sophomore Marshall Plouffe evened his record to 2-2, pitching seven strong innings. Plouffe gave up three runs on nine hits.

“He was masterful tonight,” Hewitt said. “He hit all of his spots, got ahead in the count early and really put pressure on the hitters.”

His only mistake was a low-cut fastball that Mustang catcher Kyle Wilson blasted over the fence for a solo homerun in the fifth inning.

“We played a complete game tonight, from pitching all the way down to our hitting,” Hewitt said. “Patience on both ends was the key.”

Game 1 was a different story, as the Hornets committed five errors in a 12-4 loss.

Sac State saw its 2-0 lead evaporate in the bottom half of the first inning, as the Hornets gave up four unearned runs. The Mustangs put the game away in the fourth, scoring four more runs for an 8-2 lead.

Sophomore Kevin Marzion took the loss, giving up eight runs in just four innings.

“We had no defense Friday night,” Hewitt said. “We left Marzion out to dry.”

The lone bright spot Friday was Evans. He connected on his sixth homerun of the season, going 2-for-4.

Last Tuesday, Sac State dropped a 7-1 decision on the road against San Jose State University. Spartan hurler Mike Malott threw a complete game, allowing just two hits and one run in nine innings of work. Malott walked three and struck out six batters.

Sac State will host a double-header against Stony Brook Saturday. Game 1?s first pitch is set for 11 am.