After sweeping their series against red-hot Cal State Hayward, the Hornets will next take their hacks against one of the top-ranked college baseball teams in the country.

Stanford, ranked No. 4 in the nation in the most recent NCAA poll, will provide the ultimate test for Hornet coach John Smith’s ballclub when they come to Hornet Field this Saturday.

“It’s always exciting to play against a ranked team,” junior Jesse Schmidt said. “I think we have a good chance to beat these guys, and hopefully we’ll get some support from the student body.”

Two-time All-American outfielder Sam Fuld leads the Stanford attack, and is joined by 2002 All-Pac-10 selections Carlos Quentin (.419 average, seven steals) and Ryan Garko (.369 average, eight home runs, 41 RBI). Stanford bats over .320 as a team.

Hornet sluggers Mikela Olsen and Chris Kinsey will test their bats against a stingy Stanford pitching staff that holds opponents to a 4.33 ERA.

“We expect to see nothing but the best from Stanford,” sophomore Bret LeVier said. “We’ve got to play a perfect, no-mistake game to win.”

Saturday’s game gives baseball fans a chance to sneak a peek at several possible future major leaguers — Stanford has supplied first-round picks in 13 of the past 16 Major League Baseball drafts.

Stanford boasts a proud baseball tradition, with 23 NCAA Tournament berths, 14 College World Series appearances and two national championship teams (1987 and 1988).

The Palo Alto, Calif. university has sent 57 players to the major leagues, including former player/manager Bob Boone and current stars Mike Mussina and Rick Helling. Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway also played baseball for Stanford.

“We’ve played good against the top teams, and now we just need to step up to the next level,” LeVier said.

Saturday’s game starts at 1 p.m., and is the second of a two-game series. Sac State plays at Stanford’s Sunken Diamond on Friday at 6 p.m.

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