The win evened the Mustangs’ overall record at 23-23-1 and made the team 8-6 in Big West Conference games. The Hornets dropped to 15-26 overall and 0-14 in league contests.

With the score tied, 6-6, entering the ninth inning, Kyle Wilson opened the rally with a single to left field. Wilson moved to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to center by Haskell. That hit ended the day for Sacramento State starter Chris Kinsey who was replaced by junior Steve Cuckovich. After a sacrifice moved the runner to second and Jason Barringer flew out to right field, Leavitt singled to center to score the second run of the inning. Escobedo knocked in the final run of the rally with a single to left.

Cal Poly led for most of the game as the Mustangs took advantage of three first inning runs. Bill Saul opened the game by being hit by a pitch and team added four-straight singles to take the early lead. The Hornets made the score, 3-1, in the second inning on an RBI-single by Bobby Ciani which scored Ryan Brown.

The Mustangs added a run in the third on a single by Haskell and a run in the fourth on an Escobedo single before the Hornets began to rally. Sacramento State scored four runs in the fifth inning to tie the game, 5-5.

With one out, Casey Fuller tripled to right center and scored on a double by Bret LeVier for the team’s first run of the inning. Mario Celillo drove in the second run with a single and Matt Wilson drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score, 5-4. The last run of the inning came on a wild pitch from Andrew McDaniel which allowed Celillo to score.

Cal Poly regained its lead in the seventh inning with a run coming off of a Sacramento State error. The Hornets should have got out of the inning without a run scoring but committed three of team’s four errors in the frame. Sacramento State tied the game in the bottom of the seventh when Wilson singled to right scoring Brown.

The Hornets had an opportunity to take their first lead of the game in the eighth inning. The team had bases loaded with no outs but Nolan Moser forced Chris Kinsey to hit a chopper to first baseman Brian Haskell who threw to the plate for the first out. Ryan Brown followed by fouling out to the catcher and pinch hitter Joe Evans ended the inning by striking out.

Wilson, Haskell and Escobedo each recorded three hits to lead the Mustangs. Mike Bille (2-0), who threw the final two innings, earned the win for the team.

Sacramento State was led by Ryan Brown who went 3-for-5 with a double. Kinsey dropped to 3-3 with the loss.

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

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Cal Poly (23-23-1, 8-6) 301 100 103 - 9 16 2

Sacramento State (15-26, 0-14) 010 040 100 - 6 13 4

WP - Mike Bille (2-0)

LP - Chris Kinsey (3-3)

Brett Larson, Andrew McDaniel (5), Nolan Moser (7), Josh Kougl (8), Mike Bille (8) and Kyle Wilson; Chris Kinsey, Steve Cuckovich (9) and Matt Wilson.

TOP HITTERS - CP: Kyle Wilson 3x4, 3B; Brian Haskell 3x5; Aaron Escobedo 3x5; Bill Saul 2x5; Adam Leavitt 2x5, 2B; Bryan Gant 2x5. SAC: Ryan Brown 3x5, 2B; Casey Fuller 2x3, 3B; Matt Wilson 2x4; Bret LeVier 2B.