After sweeping North Dakota in its first Big Sky Conference series, Sacramento State baseball was handed a loss in a 1-0 pitching duel against New Mexico on Monday afternoon at John Smith Field.

Sac State (14-9, 3-0 in Big Sky) starting pitcher Tanner Olson gave up just one earned run through five innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Austin Ragsdale contributed an inning, giving up no runs on one hit, and Jonny Palsha pitched the remainder of the game, giving up no runs on one hit and three strikeouts.

New Mexico (16-8, 7-2) got the win and eight strong innings from starting pitcher Colton Thomson, who gave up no runs on just five hits with eight strikeouts and a walk. Closer Victor Sanchez earned the save as he gave up no runs on one hit in the ninth. These two pitchers combined for the shutout.

The lone run of the game came in the top of the third inning as New Mexico strung together three hits in a row to start off the inning. The fourth hitter of the inning was second baseman Jared Holley, who produced the only run on a sacrifice fly ball to center field.

Although New Mexico recorded more hits than Sac State, the Hornets had more opportunities to score their runners. The Hornets were just 2-for-12 with runners on base, while New Mexico was 2-for-8.

The game-changing stat of the day was that Sac State was 0-for-3 with runners on third base with less than two outs, while New Mexico was a perfect 1-for-1.

Sac State also had the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the third inning, but could not produce a run to force a tie.

The Hornets offense included singles from five different players, including two different innings with two hits, but the team could not convert.

Sac State will get a chance at redemption against New Mexico in game two of their series Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at John Smith Field.