The Sacramento State baseball team took the lead early and never looked back, leading them to a 4-2 victory over the previously undefeated Northwestern State Demons Wednesday evening.

Sac State struck first In the top of the second inning, with junior catcher Gunner Pollman leading off with a double to left centerfield. Shortstop Trent Goodrich then advanced Pollman to third base on a groundout to shortstop. Second baseman Brandon Hunley finally brought Pollman home with a sacrifice fly ball to left field to bring across the first run of the game.

The Hornets built on their lead in the third inning, scoring two more runs off of a string of four hits including a double from junior third baseman Kody Reynolds.

Northwestern State (3-1) answered back in the bottom of the third with a run of their own. Infielder Matthew Alford led off the inning by taking one for the team and getting hit by the pitch. Alford then moved to third on a double down the left field line by outfielder Kwan Adkins, and eventually scored on a groundout to shortstop by catcher/outfielder Cort Brinson.

During a shaky fifth inning for Sac State pitcher Matt Gorgolinski, Northwestern State outfielder Matthew Valdez singled up the middle and advanced to 3rd after two consecutive wild pitches. Catcher Daniel Garner singled to left and scored Valdez making it a one run ballgame, 3-2.

Sac State ended up adding an insurance run in the ninth inning with a little help from the Demons. Sophomore outfielder Andrew McWilliam led off with a single to left field. McWilliam then advanced to second base on a groundout from Kody Reynolds. A wild pitch allowed him to move up to third and ultimately score on an error committed by Demon third baseman Braedon Barrett.

Sac State sophomore starting pitcher Matt Gorgolinski completed five innings with six strikeouts while giving up two earned runs on four hits and three walks. The bullpen combined four hitless and scoreless innings on the backs of sophomore Ryan Smith, junior Chad Perry and senior Tyler Beardsley.

Pollman, Reynolds and sophomore first baseman Vinny Esposito led the Hornets’ offensive attack with two hits apiece, including a double from each. McWilliam, Goodrich, freshman outfielder Matt Smith and sophomore outfielder Bronson Grubbs also added one hit each. Hunley, Smith and Pollman each had an RBI.

Sac State is slated to take on the No. 5 nationally-ranked Louisiana State University Tigers at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday, Feb. 26.