Despite a big seventh inning that almost brought the Hornets back from a four-run deficit, the No. 16-ranked San Jose State Spartans knocked them off 5-4 to secure a split of Saturday’s doubleheader.

The loss followed a 2-0 Hornets victory in which pitcher Brandon Sandoval threw a seven-inning complete game shutout, surrendering only two hits.

On a blustery Saturday afternoon, Sandoval said he was able to harness the power of the wind to his advantage.

“I just threw my normal pitches, but with the wind my two-seam (fastball) sunk more than it normally does,” Sandoval explained. “Sometimes the wind would take it and sometimes it would not, so sometimes it would sink more.”

In game two, starter Dallas Chadwick did not fare so well. Chadwick allowed five earned runs on only four hits over 5.1 innings, allowing three walks and hitting five batters. But he held the Spartans to just two runs until the sixth, when San Jose rallied for three.

After giving up a double, Chadwick hurt his own cause by making a wild throw to third on a sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing the runner to score. San Jose State would add two more in the frame to put them up 5-1.

Hornets coach Reggie Christiansen said it was obvious Chadwick just did not have it Saturday, but seemed to think his hurler will find his own.

“He was just struggling with his command, it was not very good today,” Christiansen said. “It kind of comes and goes. He has not been bad (recently). He has been able to pitch out of it. But there is still a lot more there.”

The Hornets could not answer in the bottom of the sixth, but made for an interesting seventh inning when they responded with three runs of their own.

The rally started off with walks to pinch hitter Brent Hottman and center fielder Kirby Young. Hottman scored on a double by left fielder Jake Chilton.

An error by the Spartans and a David Del Grande fielder’s choice gave Sac State two more, bringing them to within a run.

But that is all they would get, as Spartans pitcher Zack Jones closed the door to earn the save.

Young, who has spent most of the year at shortstop, got the start in center field Saturday.

Christiansen said the move is meant to shore up the Hornet offense, and Young is great in the field no matter where he is put.

“We are trying to find the nine best hitters and put them on the field at one time, and that is the thinking there,” he said. “Kirby is our best defensive player at seven of the nine positions.”

Sac State will try to earn the series split Sunday when they play its fourth game of the weekend against San Jose State. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Alex Grotewohl can be reached at [email protected]