Behind strong pitching performances from starter Ty Nichols and reliever Justin Dillon, Sacramento State’s baseball team edged out the University of Utah Utes by a score of 3-1 on Sunday.

Entering the game with one out in the top of the sixth, Dillon would go on to pitch 2 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run and earning his first win of the year.

“I couldn’t be thankful enough for being with this group of guys,” Dillon said. “Everything goes back to them.”

After entering the game for Nichols in a bases-loaded jam with one out in the seventh, Dillon pitched into a failed squeeze attempt which led to a rundown tag out by catcher Gunner Pollman.

The following pitch, a fastball for a strikeout, held the Utes scoreless in the most dangerous situation for the Hornets.

“It was my first appearance; I had a little jitters,” Dillon said. “I just tried to hit my spots.”

In the bottom of the seventh, the Hornets rallied behind a one-out walk from Nathan Lukes, which was capped off by a couple of RBI singles from Scotty Burcham and Pollman, followed by a great at bat by Bronson Grubbs leading to an RBI fielder’s choice.

“Bronson Grubbs had a great at bat,” said Sac State coach Reggie Christiansen. “It was huge.”

Three runs would prove to be more than enough for the Hornets to get the 3-1 victory, bringing their season record to 2-1.

Nichols pitched 6 1/3 innings for the Hornets, allowing no runs while giving up four walks and five hits.

“This team is founded on pitching and defense,” Nichols said. “We put the guys out there that are going to make the plays.”

The Hornets’ defense was on full display Sunday, including a putout at the plate in the fourth inning from right fielder Lukes to catcher Pollman to thwart one of the Utes’ only scoring opportunities.

“I was pretty fired up,” Nichols said. “He threw him out by ten feet, the guy’s got a hose.”

Strong pitching and defense should be a staple for success this year for the Hornets, a team built around a defense-first mentality. For the third game in a row, the Hornets did not commit an error.

“We are not going to win a lot of games 10-3 like we did yesterday quite honestly,” Christiansen said. “We are going to have to find ways to win.”

Freshman Jayson Rose made an excellent debut for the Utes, allowing no runs, one hit and two walks while tacking on four strikeouts.

In the top of the eighth, pinch-hitter Wade Gulden had the only RBI for the Utes. After falling to the Hornets for the second straight game, the Utes are now 1-2 on the season.

The 6-foot-5-inch freshman Anthony Castaneda will make his first start for Sac State on Monday to close out the four-game series against Utah. First pitch is at 11 a.m.