While the Hornets came out of the gate this season with a 5-4 record, Saint Mary’s has struggled early and often in 2003.

Much of the blame for the Gaels’ slow start can be attributed to an overall lack of pop from their bats. Saint Mary’s hitters collected only nine extra-base hits in their first six games, while their opponents have hit 31.

After getting swept by Hawaii, the Hornets can’t afford to take any team lightly, especially Saint Mary’s. The Gaels dealt Sac State its first loss of the season on Feb. 6 in Moraga after the Hornets blew an early lead. Saint Mary’s also took two out of three from the Hornets last season.

Like the Hornets, the Gaels field a relatively young team — they have only four seniors on their roster. Three players from the 2002 Saint Mary’s team were picked in last June’s major league draft, including first team All-West Coast Conference selection Mark Teahen, who was taken by the Oakland A’s with the No. 39 overall pick.

Junior first baseman James Gaulke has been swinging the biggest stick for Saint Mary’s this season, hitting .292 through Saturday while leading the team in home runs and RBI.

Jeremy Gonzales, also a junior, has been the most effective pitcher for the Gaels, giving up only two earned runs in 15 innings.

The Hornets will host Friday’s contest, and the second game in the series will be played at Louis Guisto Field in Moraga. The teams will then return to Sacramento for the third game. Friday’s game against the Gaels starts at 2 p.m., while Sunday’s contest gets underway at 1 p.m.