The Hornets improved to 24-29 on the year while the Spartans fell to 18-25-1.

Sacramento State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after an RBI double by senior John Acha. With one out, junior Craig Johnson was hit by Spartan starter Brandon Dewing on a 1-2 count. In the next at-bat, Acha hit the first pitch by Dewing in the left-center gap to score Johnson from first.

San Jose State evened the score (1-1) after Travis Becktel crossed the plate from third on a double play with no one out. With runners on first and third, Nate Corrick hit a comebacker to senior Andy Mohr. Mohr induced the double-play at second, allowing Becktel to score.

The Spartans took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth after Ryan Angel drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left and Justin Santich-Hughes scored on a throwing error by senior Jack Arroyo.

The Hornets cut the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth after an RBI single by Johnson. With two out, junior Ronnie Machado, Jr., and Arroyo hit consecutive singles to put runners on first and second. In the next at-bat, Johnson hit a ball back up the middle to score Machado, Jr.

San Jose State increased its advantage to 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh after a two-run home run to left field by Scott Niheu.

Sacramento State rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth after a two-run home run to left field by Arroyo and a two-run double by Flowers. With two outs, Machado, Jr., hit a base hit to left field. In the next at-bat, Arroyo hit a tower drive over the left-field wall to make it 5-4. Johnson followed with a single to right and then advanced to third on a single by Acha down the left-field line. In the next at-bat, Flowers cleared the bases with a double in the left-center gap.

Freshman Justin Deme'' (4-2) earned the win after allowing only one hit in 2.0 innings of relief. Senior Andy Mohr, who started the contest, gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out two in 7.0 innings. For Mohr, a native of Glendora, Calif., it was the longest outing of his Hornet career.

Jose Amaya (1-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on five hits while striking out four in 2.1 relief innings.

Machado, Jr., led the Hornet offense by going 3-for-4 from the plate while Arroyo (2-for-5) and Flowers (2-for-5) each finished with a team-high two RBI. Acha and Johnson also finished the contest with two hits apiece.

Sacramento State and San Jose State will complete the three-game set on Sunday, May 2, at 1 p.m.