The game was the first of a four-game homestand for the Hornets, who will host a three-game series with Northern Colorado this weekend, beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Sacramento State falls to 7-11 on the year while the Broncos improve to 10-7.

Trailing 6-0 in the bottom of the eighth with one out, junior second baseman Gary Johnson was walked and advanced to third on a single from senior center fielder Jim Strombach. Senior designated hitter Pat Keiper then recorded the RBI to score Johnson for the Hornets’ only run.

Sacramento State was held to four hits during the game, while Santa Clara tallied 11. Keiper’s RBI was his 16th of the season, while Johnson, Strombach, sophomore third baseman David Flores and senior first baseman Brian Blauser all recorded hits.

Santa Clara’s Donald Brandt earned the win in his first start of the season after pitching 4.0 innings and holding the Hornets to two hits while recording two strikeouts.

In his first start of the year, Sacramento State left-hander Kyle Christensen took the loss after pitching 2.0 innings and surrendering two runs on three hits.

The Broncos were led by left fielder Daniel Nava’s 2-for-3 performance. Nava put the Broncos on the scoreboard in the second, hitting hit a two-run homer over the left field wall.

Nava was also responsible for Santa Clara’s third run in the fifth inning, tripling to left field and scoring second baseman Eric Newton.

The Broncos added two more runs in the sixth by way of shortstop Brady Fuerst who produced a two-run single to left field. Fuerst finished the game 2-for-4.

Sacramento State’s three-game series with Northern Colorado will be broadcast on www.hornetsports.com with Dylan McKenzie doing the play-by-play. To access the broadcast, click on the Live Audio link at the top of the home page and scroll down to baseball.