The Hornets (1-7) exploded for 13 runs Sunday to win their first game of the season and snap a seven game losing streak. Sacramento State pounded eight different South Dakota State pitchers for 15 hits in the 13-4 victory.

It took a team-wide offensive effort to hurl the monkey off its back and finally get one in the win column. Every Hornet who came to the plate had at least one hit. Only third baseman David Flores, who went 2-4 with two RBI, did not score in the game. First baseman Gabe Jacobo was the sole Hornet not to drive in a run.

The Hornets also enjoyed a strong performance from the bullpen. To date, the pen had been the most inconsistent part of the team, but it did not allow a run and gave up just three hits in relief Sunday.

“Our pitching and hitting was unbelievable today and that’s what we need,” sophomore shortstop Blake Crosby said. “We can’t just have one without the other.”

Junior transfer Tyler Axelrod, who earned the win, was called upon to stop the bleeding in the sixth after starter Trevor York allowed the Jackrabbits (3-3) three consecutive hits and a run without retiring a batter in the inning. Down 4-3, Axelrod was able to retire the next three Jacks in order to get out of the inning. Axelrod improved his record to 1-1 with the victory.

Coach John Smith said that Axelrod’s performance was a key component in breaking the losing streak because the bullpen failed to hold the lead or keep the team in contention when previously placed in similar situations.

In the bottom half of the sixth the Hornets tied the game at four when freshman center fielder Tim Wheeler scored from second on a close play at the plate. Jacks right fielder Nick Adams came up throwing on a single by second baseman Patrick Cummins. The throw beat Wheeler to the plate but the rookie was able to jar the ball loose with his slide.

“That was a break that finally went our way, this whole weekend we didn’t get a single break,” Smith said. “When you’re in a three and four game losing streak it seems like all those little things start to magnify.”

The Hornets took the lead for good when Crosby, who went 3-6 with three RBI and two runs, singled to center scoring catcher Travis Kirkman. Upon reaching first base safely, Crosby pumped his fist and shouted in excitement. Crosby said that it felt good to play an important part in bringing the losing streak to a halt.

“We needed that,” Crosby said. “We’ve been down quite a bit so far this year and to get a big hit in a big situation, it pumped me up.”

Junior relief pitcher Mitch Lively took it upon himself to ensure the victory by allowing just two base runners, none passed first base, in the final three innings. He was credited with the save.

“Mitch is normally going to be an eighth and ninth inning guy but we weren’t going to take any chances today,” Smith said, “We went with the guy we knew could keep us in the game.”

Axelrod expressed optimism for the future now that the pressure of getting its first victory has been relieved from the team.

“We have a great group of guys, we believe in each other, we have faith in each other and now that we have the monkey off our backs things are going to start going up hill for us,” Axelrod said.

The Hornets will try to begin a winning streak at 2 p.m. Tuesday against San Francisco State at Hornet Field.