Saint Mary’s improves to 19-27 on the season while the Hornets fall to 19-31-1.

The Gaels jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Sacramento State scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings. Senior Cliff Hinkle put the Hornets on the scoreboard first with a home run over the right field wall. It was the Temecula, Calif., native’s second home run of the season and sixth of his career.

In the seventh inning, senior Matt Wilson’s sacrifice fly scored senior Brett Flowers, bringing the Hornets within one run, 3-2. Flowers finished the day 2-for-3 with both of his hits being doubles down the right field line. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native is now second on the team with 12 doubles, while leading the team with a .311 batting average.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Gaels put things out of reach when Gallagher first hit a two-run single to right center scoring Orben Frederick and Adam Thompson. With two runners on base, Adam Bellows then hit a three-run shot over left field wall. The following batter, Ian Gordon also homered to left field as Sacramento State gave up six runs on four hits in the inning.

Saint Mary’s Dan Lewis (2-0) earned the win after pitching six innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six. Allan Lobban, who replaced Lewis in the top of the seventh, picked up his first save of the season after pitching three innings and allowing one run on three hits.

Sacramento State’s Ken Livesey took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in the first inning.

Sacramento State will next host San Jose State this weekend for a three-game series. First game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday.