Senior Kyle Moses provided the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning as the Sacramento State baseball team got their second consecutive walk-off win with a 3-2 victory over the visiting University of Portland Pilots on Friday, Feb. 20, in game one of a four-game series.

“I wanted to get that fourth at-bat, after not getting a hit in my first three,” Moses said. “I got the pitch that I wanted and I drove it.”

The winning hit allowed the Hornets to run onto the field to celebrate for the second time in as many games. Monday’s walk-off hit by Dan Deely was struck similarly to Moses’ hit, a sharp single to center field.

Sophomore Justin Dillon pitched two innings of relief, giving up one unearned run to pick up the win.

The win moved the Hornets to 4-1 on the season and dropped the Pilots to 1-5.

Moses’ deciding hit came after a leadoff single by Bronson Grubbs, then a balk, which advanced Grubbs to second base. Later, a single by Deely advanced Grubbs to third base, which set up Moses for the heroics on an 0-1 fastball.

“I have been trying to find my swing,” Moses said. “I am so happy I got to help the team.”

Senior Brennan Leitao kept the Hornets in the game by pitching seven innings, allowing one earned run and striking out five.

“I felt stronger, more comfortable and more efficient than in my first start,” Leitao said. “This Portland team was pretty aggressive and I was able to get some quick outs as a result of their aggression.”

The Hornets got on the board early with a sacrifice fly from senior Scotty Burcham in the first inning.

The Pilots evened the score in the fourth inning with an RBI single from Kevin Farley. Farley’s single was preceded by a balk on Leitao that advanced Michael Lucarelli to second. Lucarelli eventually scored on Farley’s single.

The Hornets retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sharp RBI double by freshman Vinny Esposito, scoring sophomore Brandon Hunley. Hunley led off the inning with a single and a steal.

The Pilots tried to answer the following half inning with a leadoff double by Cody Lenahan to begin the seventh frame. Leitao was able to escape the jam by picking off Lenahan at second base.

Leitao then struck out pinch hitter Cooper Hummel before walking Turner Gill. Gill was thrown out trying to steal second base by catcher Gunner Pollman.

The Pilots began the top of the eighth inning with a single by Brady Kerr, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Davis Tominaga, advancing Kerr to second base.

A grounder by Geoffrey Lee was misplayed by Hornets’ second baseman Deely, allowing Kerr to score, tying the game at two apiece. The error was only the second error committed by the Hornets through five games.

Dillon rebounded to pitch a perfect ninth inning.

“I am disappointed that we weren’t able to get the starter the win,” Dillon said. “But I am happy that we were able to rebound and close it out.”

Sac State had nine hits in the game, with all nine starting position players recording one hit. Farley and Lenahan each went 2-for-4 to lead Portland while the starting pitcher for the Pilots, Jackson Lockwood, delivered a strong six innings, allowing two runs on just six hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

Both teams resume play Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled at John Smith Field. Game one begins at 11 a.m. Game two is slated to begin 30 minutes after game one concludes.