The Hornets swept their Western Athletic Conference series with the Aggies, 3-0, and improve to 16-20 overall and 5-4 in the WAC, while maintaining a five-game winning streak – their longest of the season. New Mexico State falls to 12-25 and 1-8 in conference.

With the game knotted at 6-6 entering the top of the 12th, senior Kyle Atrat was walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on Brian Blauser’s sacrifice bunt. New Mexico State pitcher Dillon Smith intentionally walked sophomore David Flores, before surrendering Strombach’s bases-clearing double to center field.

With an 8-6 lead and one out, the Hornets’ offensive pressure continued, when Strombach scored on senior Brian Conradi’s RBI- single. Senior Everet Rincon singled and with two runners on base, leadoff hitter Gary Johnson hit his second home run of the season to left field. The three-run shot gave the Hornets’ a six run cushion.

In the bottom of the 12th, the Aggies scored two runs, but sophomore pitcher Mitch Lively struck out Joey Vincent to end the game.

Junior right-hander Billy Sinacori (2-1) earned the victory, taking the mound in the ninth and allowing two runs on four hits in three innings of work. The 2003 Placer High School graduate kept the Hornets in position to win the game in the bottom of the 10th inning, working his way out of a no-out, bases loaded situation.

Abe Aguirre grounded out to senior catcher Buddy Morales and Flores threw out Mark Montgomery, who was trying to score from third for the first two outs. Sinacori then retired Adam Harvey to end the inning.

Smith (3-4) took the loss for New Mexico State, after pitching four innings and surrendering six runs on six hits.

Sacramento State was trailing 6-5 entering the eighth, but scored the game-tying run when Flores led off the inning with a single to left field. Strombach followed with a double to center field and with Flores at third, Rincon’s RBI fielder’s choice helped Flores cross the plate.

Flores’ two-run homer in the second inning put Sacramento State’s first runs of the game on the board. The Hornets’ starting third baseman finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs, four runs scored, one double and one walk. The Union City, Calif., native dominated all three games at the plate, finishing the series batting .857 (12-for-14) with eight runs scored, seven RBIs, five doubles and one home run. The 2004 James Logan High School graduate is now on a six-game hitting streak and also has two home runs this season, while batting .322.

Strombach, now on a three-game hitting streak, finished his day 3-for-5 with two RBIs, two doubles and one run scored. The Aiea, Hawaii, native batted .583 (7-for-12) against the Aggies with seven RBIs, four runs scored, three doubles and two stolen bases. The Hornets’ starting center fielder is now hitting .330 in 2006 with eight doubles.

Johnson was 3-for-5 on the day and continues to lead the team with 53 hits, and 16 multiple-hit games. The Fair Oaks, Calif., native is hitting a team-leading .395 against WAC competition with 15 hits, six RBIs and three doubles.

Rincon, now on a five-game hitting streak, was 3-for-6 with two runs scored one RBI and one stolen base. The Hornets’ starting shortstop has eight steals in 2006 and nine multiple hit games.

Senior Pat Keiper, who made his return to the lineup this weekend after being sidelined with a hamstring injury, finished 2-for-6 including a solo home run in the third inning. The Los Angeles native continues to lead the team with a .364 average.

Sacramento State will bring its five-game winning streak home to Hornet Field this weekend, playing a three-game series with WAC foe San Jose State. The series begins at 2 p.m. on Thursday. The game can be heard on www.hornetsports.com with Dylan McKenzie on the play-by-play. To access the broadcast, click on the Live Audio link at the top of the page and scroll down to baseball.