A five-run second inning propelled the hosting Utah Valley University Wolverines to a 12-3 victory over the visiting Sacramento State Hornets today in the opener of a three-game series between the Western Athletic Conference foes.

The Wolverines (11-20, 7-3 WAC) put on an offensive clinic, recording 15 hits and scoring their second highest run total of the season with 12. The Hornets (18-14, 6-4 WAC) fell into fourth place in conference with their most lopsided loss of the season.

“We didn’t play well today at all,” said Sac State coach Reggie Christiansen. “They jumped on us pretty aggressively, and we did not respond. I look for us to respond tomorrow and represent ourselves better than we did today.”

Jordan Schlehuber’s single with two outs in the bottom of the second inning was the first of five consecutive hits for the Wolverines in the decisive five-run rally. Included in the rally were two walks and a balk by Hornets starter Brennan Leitao.

Leitao (3-3, 2.88 ERA) took his second consecutive loss for Sac State in by far his shortest outing of the season. The senior starter lasted two innings, allowing six runs (five earned) and seven hits.

Jake Atkinson (3-for-5, three doubles) and leadoff hitter Kade Andrus (2-for-4, three RBIs) were part of a Wolverines’ attack that had three starters record multi-hit games. Chris Lewis led a five-hit Sac State effort in going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run.

Danny Beddes pitched a complete game for Utah Valley to earn the win. The six-foot-five-inch junior struck out six Hornets, walked five, gave up five hits and allowed all three earned runs.

The Hornets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a Lewis fielder’s choice. The home team was able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning with a Greyson Bogden single after a passed ball.

Utah Valley tacked on three runs in the bottom of the third inning. After a Schlehuber RBI double, Andrus’ two-run homer to left-center off of Hornets’ reliever Grant Kukuk pushed the hosts ahead 9-1.

Lewis’ fifth-inning solo shot to left-center with two outs was the final highlight offensively for Sac State, a team which has dropped its fourth straight league contest after winning its first six.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.