With the game tied at 3-3 and two outs in the top of the ninth, Bronco designated hitter Dustin Realini doubled down the left field line to score Michael Thompson and Jason Matteucci.

Santa Clara’s Chris Stansbury (3-0) earned his third win of the season after pitching the final two innings of the game and holding the Hornets scoreless on one hit. Stansbury also recorded two strikeouts.

Senior Matt Wilson led the Hornets (18-28-1) at the plate going 3-for-4 with one home run and one stolen base. Wilson’s two-run shot, which scored junior Brian Conradi, came in the second inning and gave Sacramento State an initial 2-0 lead. Wilson is now second on the team with five home runs, bringing his career total to 13.

Santa Clara (23-22) tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning when Kevin Drever’s two-RBI single down the left field line scored Eric Newton and Kris Watts.

The Hornets quickly reclaimed the lead, 3-2, when sophomore third baseman Billy Sinacori hit his first home run of the season over the right field wall. It was the second career home run for the Auburn, Calif., native, who finished the day 2-for-4.

In the eighth inning, Santa Clara tied the game at 3-3 when Thompson scored on a Nathan Faulkner single.

Junior James Wheeler took the loss for the Hornets after pitching 1.2 innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Senior right-hander Warren Rosebrock made his second start of the season and pitched 5.1 innings holding Santa Clara scoreless on four hits while striking out three.

The Hornets will hit the road for a three-game series with Washington State, Saturday-Monday. The team returns to Hornet Field on Wednesday, May 11 for a 2:30 p.m. game with Saint Mary’s.

Notes: Sacramento State second baseman Taylor Watanabe also went 2-for-4 on the afternoon and now leads the team with a .314 batting average...junior right fielder Jim Strombach hit his team-leading 13th double of the season...the Hornets are now on a seven-game losing streak, tying their longest of the season.