The Hornets dropped to 22-23 on the year while the Beavers improved to 22-11. With the loss, Sacramento State dropped below the .500 mark for only the second time this season.

Oregon State took a 2-0 lead in the first when Mathews hit a two-run double to left-center field. The Beavers increased their lead to 4-0 in the third after an RBI single to left field by Mike Hass and a bases loaded RBI walk by Andy Jenkins.

The Beavers added another run in the fifth inning when Mathews scored on a double-steal. With runners on first and third and two out, Tyler Graham took off for second base. As junior Buddy Morales started his throw to second, Mathews made a break for home. Mathews recorded the run when Graham slid safely into second.

Oregon State made it 7-0 in the seventh after a two-run single to right field by Jenkins with two out.

Sacramento State got on the board with a run in the bottom of the seventh. After a single by junior Brett Flowers to lead off the inning, junior Bret LeVier reached safely at first after a fielder’s choice to second. In the next at-bat, LeVier advanced to second on a single to center by junior Matt Wilson. Junior Ronnie Machado, Jr., followed with a single to right center to drive in the Hornets’ first run.

The Hornets added another run in the eighth when sophomore Brian Blauser hit a solo-home run over the center-field wall. For Blauser, a native of Elk Grove, Calif., it was his first-career home run.

Jake Postelwait (8-1) earned the win after allowing two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out six in 7.0 innings of work.

Junior Ethan Katz (6-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits while walking a season-high eight and striking out three batters in 6.0 innings.

Wilson led the Hornet offense by finishing 2-for-2 from the plate. Senior John Acha made his first plate appearance since injuring his finger on March 27.

Sacramento State and Oregon State will play game two of the series on Saturday, April 17, at 1 p.m.

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