With the way the season has gone thus far, it wouldn’t be too premature to start calling the Sacramento State baseball team, “The Cardiac Kids.”

The Hornets won the rubber match of their series against Washington State, 8-6, completing their opening series victory.

Each game of the series featured several lead changes, with Sac State going on top early, only to relinquish the advantage later in the game; the Hornets did so again Sunday, but held on to the victory despite a fervent Washington State comeback.

As was the case in each of the first two games of the series, Sac State jumped ahead in the first inning, scoring the first four runs of the game.

Designated hitter Pedro Santiago singled to center, scoring shortstop Everet Rincon, who had reached on a Cougar error. Catcher Matt Wilson then laid down a squeeze bunt to score first baseman Brian Blauser. Second baseman Pat Keiper followed with a quirky hit, getting two more runners home with an infield single to shortstop, making the score 4-0.

Unlike the first two games of the series, however, Sac State didn’t receive a stellar outing from its starting pitcher.

After two gems were turned in by Ethan Katz and Travis Kane on Friday and Saturday, respectively, Ken Livesey was roughed up for six earned runs off five hits and five walks in three and two-thirds innings of work.

But “The Cardiac Kids” of Sac State roared right back, tying the game up in their bottom half of the inning.

Santiago led off the third inning with a single and was sent home by left fielder Josh Levine, tying the game at five runs.

Back came the Cougars, however, going back on top in the fourth inning.

Miller had yet another RBI, singling home center fielder Jason Freeman to put Washington State back on top, 6-5.

But in the bottom of the fourth, Sac State would take back the lead for good.

Right fielder Jim Strombach laced a single to center, scoring center fielder Travis Kassebaum, to tie the game. Wilson put the Hornets ahead as he got on base with a single, scoring Strombach. Third baseman Brian Conradi added to the lead with a smash up the middle, scoring Santiago, and giving the Hornets an 8-6 lead.

-This time, though, the Hornets’ middle-relief crew came in and held the lead, as it wasn’t the case the previous two games.

Warren Rosebrock relieved Livesey and threw five and a third innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits while striking out three.

“I thought our bullpen was the difference today,” coach John Smith said. “(Livesey) will be fine once he gets everything smoothed out. But Rosebrock did really well for us today. He calmed the storm.”

Neither team scored after the fourth inning, as both offenses were held in check.

The Hornets’ 8-6 lead would remain the rest of the game thanks to scoreless relief pitching and error-proof defense.

Santiago, who helped build that lead, went 2-for-3 on Sunday with three runs and an RBI; he was also very pleased with his team’s approach to scoring, which was supposed to be its weak point.

“My job is to knock in runs, but today, I was getting on base and setting the table for the other guys,” Santiago said. “Everybody on the team is on the same page and if one person doesn’t do something, someone else will step up and do it.”

“The series win was great, but I think we caught Washington (State) at a bad time,” coach Smith said. “We swung the bats really well, but we also took advantage of all of their errors; they’re a better team than the one we faced today.”

Sac State lost Friday’s game, 8-7, in 10 innings, but won Saturday’s game, 9-8.

The Hornets’ next home game is 2 p.m. Friday against St. Mary’s. It is the opening game of the River City Classic.