Sacramento State won in walk-off fashion Sunday against Utah as junior first baseman Rhys Hoskins hit a ground ball down the third base line, scoring sophomore outfielder Nathan Lukes for the game winning run.

It was Hoskins’ first hit and RBI of the season in the 5-4 Hornets victory.

Sac State started the bottom of the ninth inning with three consecutive batters reaching base. Freshman second baseman Brandon Hunley singled, Lukes reached on a bunt single and senior designated hitter Clay Cederquist reached on an error. Hunley was thrown out at the plate attempting to score on the Cederquist bunt.

Hoskins was 0-8 on the season coming into the final at bat and hit a ground ball to the third baseman with Lukes on third and pinch runner, junior Kyle Moses, on first. Lukes bolted for home and was safe on the throw from Utah third baseman Cody Scaggari.

Sac State had its highest scoring output of the season knocking in five runs on 14 hits. Hunley went 3-4 in his first career game as a Hornet. Fresh off of striking out four times against Utah Saturday, Lukes bounced back going 4-5 and is batting .500 for the season.

The Hornets’ starting pitcher, freshman Jared Paderez, went four innings giving up three runs on six hits. Sophomore Sutter McLoughlin pitched a scoreless ninth inning and was credited with the win, his first of the season.

In the early part of the game, it was all Hornets as they scored three runs after three innings of play. Utah would answer back with three of its own in the top of the fourth inning tallying four hits and scoring on a bases loaded hit by pitch.

The Utah offense finished with four runs on 11 hits led by left fielder Tyler Yagi who went 2-3 with two RBIs and two runs.

The Utes starting pitcher Dalton Carroll lasted just 3.1 innings giving up 10 hits and three runs. The loss was issued to relief pitcher Luke West.

Sac State (2-1) will finish its four-game series against Utah, Monday at 1 p.m. at John Smith Field.