The win improved the Hornets to 3-2 this season. The Gaels dropped to 1-7.

Neither team was able to score through the first four innings before Saint Mary’s posted three runs in the fifth inning. The Gaels opened the inning when Nick Conte was hit by a pitch. He was moved to third on a double by Jason Waugh. Mike Harris drove in one run with a sacrifice fly and after a walk to Mark Teahen, Brian Houle scored Waugh with a single to left. The final run of the inning came on a sacrifice fly by John Engers.

Saint Mary’s stretched its lead to 4-0 when Harris scored on a triple by Teahen in the sixth and added an insurance run in the seventh on a wild pitch which scored Engers from third.

Sacramento State began its comeback in the bottom of the seventh when pinch hitter Chris McCormack singled to center scoring Danny Gill. The Gaels matched the run in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Teahen.

In the bottom of the eighth, Chris Kinsey doubled to right center with one out. Kinsey was moved to third on a single by Joe Evans. The Gaels appeared to be out of the inning when Mario Celillo hit a ground ball to short. The ball, however, was misplayed placing runners on first and second and allowing Kinsey to score. Senior Casey Fuller followed with a towering three-run home run to right field making the score, 6-5. Starting pitcher Kevin Trochez was replaced by Matt Dolen who allowed a single to Bret LeVier and hit Tito Barba before retiring the next two batters to end the inning.

Saint Mary’s had an opportunity in the ninth inning but reliever Jeff Groeger struck out Teahen with the bases loaded to end the threat. Ryan Brown led off the home half of the ninth with a walk before Kinsey hit his third home run of the year over the left field fence to end the game.

Kinsey ended the game, 3-for-5 with a double and home run. Junior Tim Reimer also added a pair of hits for the team. Groeger improved to 2-0 this season by throwing one inning and striking out two.

SMC was led by Brian Houle who was 3-for-4. Jason Waugh and Mark Teahen each had two hits.

The two teams will continue the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Hornet Field.

---30---