After coming off of a sweep against South Dakota State, the Sacramento State Hornets baseball team defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 5-2 Wednesday night at Raley Field in Downtown Sacramento.

Relief pitcher Austin Root picked up the win, as there were six pitchers who contributed in the game. As a staff, the Hornets (8-3) gave up just two runs on five hits but allowed nine walks and two hit batters.

Nevada (4-8) came ready to play as they scored a quick two runs in the top of the first inning. Sac State starting pitcher Matt Gorgolinski gave up a lead-off walk in which the Wolf Pack took advantage. The no. 3 hitter, Miles Mastrobuoni, hit an RBI single in the left center field gap, then advanced to second base on a balk. The following batter, Bryce Greager, scored Mastrobuoni on a RBI line-drive to center field.

In the top of the third inning, the Hornets found themselves in trouble after a quick first out. The next three hitters for Nevada were given free passes, two walks and a hit by pitch. Junior relief pitcher Austin Ragsdale entered the game with the bags loaded and got a first pitch double play ball to get Sac State out of the jam.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Sac State struck back with a couple runs of its own. Sophomore first baseman Vinny Esposito started the rally with an infield single to third base. Sophomore left fielder Andrew McWilliam belted an RBI triple to the right-center field wall, and freshman designated hitter James Outman immediately followed with an RBI double down the right field line to tie the game up, 2-2.

The Hornets broke open the score in the bottom of the sixth inning. Esposito started off the inning with a full-count single up the middle. Junior catcher Gunner Pollman stepped up to the plate with the bags loaded after back to back walks by Nevada and hit a two RBI single. The following batter, sophomore second baseman Dan Deely, singled through the left side of the infield and scored McWilliam, who reached base with a walk.

Sac State found itself in trouble once again in the top of the seventh inning. The bases were loaded by three walks courtesy of the Hornet staff. Junior relief pitcher Chad Perry was able to get them out of the rough situation as he got a two out infield fly to end the inning.

Esposito led the Hornets offense with two rally-starting singles and scored two runs. Pollman came up clutch with a two RBI bases-loaded single. McWilliam went one for three with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored.

Third baseman Kody Reynolds added a double and a run scored. Outman was one for four with an RBI double. Deely was one for three with an RBI and Bronson Grubbs added a hit of his own.

The Hornets will begin a three-game road series this Friday, taking on the University of Arizona on their home turf. Game one of the series is expected to start at 5 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona.