The Cardinal improved to 28-10 overall and avenged last season's 12-3 loss to the Hornets at Raley Field. Sacramento State dropped to 15-24.

The Hornets, who had been no-hit through the first four innings, posted the game's first runs in the fifth. Senior Ryan Brown started the rally with a double down the left-field line and scored on a two-out single by freshman Everet Rincon. Stanford reliever Jonny Willcox added to the inning by walking junior Tim Reimer and freshman Bret LeVier before giving way to J.D. Wilcox. Wilcox opened his appearance by allowing a bases-loaded walk to Chris Kinsey which plated Rincon. Senior Joe Evans continued the two-out rally with a single to right field to drive in Reimer and LeVier. Senior Mario Celillo added to the barrage with an RBI-single to left to make the score 5-0 and end the day for Wilcox.

The Cardinal responded in the bottom of the fifth inning with back-to-back singles up the middle from Andy Tophman and Arik VanZandt to place runners on first and second. Chris O'Riordan followed with a single to left to plate Topham and Sam Fuld notched the fourth-consecutive hit of the inning with a single to center which scored VanZandt.

Stanford trimmed its deficit in the sixth inning with a run. Carlos Quentin started the inning with a double down the left field line. Sacramento State left fielder Casey Fuller lost his footing on the play allowing Quentin to advance to third. Chris Carter immediately scored Quentin with a line-drive single to right to make the score, 5-3.

The Cardinal completed their comeback in the seventh inning. Sam Fuld opened the inning with a bunt single and Ryan Garko walked. Both runners were moved up a base on a sacrifice by Danny Putman before Carlos Quentin hit a three-run home run off reliever Steve Cuckovich just inside the left field foul pole to give Stanford a 6-5 lead.

Junior Marshall Plouffe pitched well in his first career start against Stanford. Plouffe, who will also likely start this Sunday, threw 6.0 innings and allowed three runs and 10 hits while striking out two in the no-decision.

The Hornet offense was led by Rincon's two hits. As a team, Sacramento State was held to six hits including none over the final 4.1 innings.

Stanford's Darin Naatjes (3-0) was credited with the win after throwing 2.1 innings and not allowing a hit or run. Ryan McCally pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save.

Sacramento State will return to Big West Conference play this weekend when it hosts Cal Poly for three games. Friday's contest will be played at Raley Field and start at 7 p.m. The Saturday and Sunday games will be at Hornet Field and start at 1 p.m.

Sacramento State (15-24) 000 050 000 — 5 6 2

Stanford (28-10) 000 021 30X — 6 12 0

WP - Darin Naatjes (3-0)

LP - Steve Cuckovich (1-2)

SV - Ryan McCally (5)

Marshall Plouffe, Steve Cuckovich (7) and Joe Evans; Mark Jecmen, Drew Ehrlich (2), Jonny Dyer (4), J.D. Wilcox (5), Darin Naatjes (5), David O'Hagan (8) and Ryan Garko.

TOP HITTERS: SAC:Evert Rincon 2x4; Ryan Brown 2B; Chris Kinsey 2B. STAN:Andy Topham 3x4; Sam Fuld 3x4; Carlos Quentin 2x4, HR, 2B; Danny Putnam 2B.