The victory improved the Hornets to 21-34 overall and 3-20 in the Big West Conference. It also marked the team’s first conference win at home this season and ended a 14-game home losing streak against league opponents. The Tigers fell to 26-27-1 overall and 7-16 in conference action.

Marzion (4-6) scattered eight hits over his nine innings of work and struck out six. The senior, who was making just his third start since having his appendix removed, picked up his second win in as many starts and lowered his ERA to 3.65 this season.

Sacramento State scored single runs in the first and second inning to take a quick, 2-0, advantage. Joe Evans singled to left to score Tim Reimer in the first inning and senior Tito Barba hit a solo home run to center in the second.

The Tigers cut their deficit in half in the fourth inning when Michael Fitzgerald singled to right center scoring Tim Gilhooly who had reached on an error. UOP had other chances to score during the contest, but the team hit into four double plays. One of the biggest plays in the game came in the sixth inning when Pacific had runners on first and third with one out. Marzion forced James Stanford to pop-up in foul territory. The ball was caught by first baseman Chris Kinsey who was also able to step on the bag and force Gilhooly — who was running on the play — to end the inning.

The Hornets extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back doubles by Bret LeVier and Kinsey. The team put the game out of reach in the seventh when LeVier hit his sixth home run of the season over the left-center fence to give the team a 6-1 lead.

Matthew Peña dropped to 3-8 with the loss. The sophomore allowed six earned runs and eight hits but also struck out 11 in seven innings.

The Sacramento State offense was guided by Reimer, LeVier and Barba who each had two hits. The trio also accounted for all six of the team’s runs by scoring two runs apiece.

Joel Summers (2-for-3) was the only Tiger to have multiple hits.

The two teams will meet in the final game of the season on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Prior to the start of the contest, Sacramento State will honor each of its 10 seniors who will be playing their final home game.

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Pacific (26-27-1, 7-16) 000 100 000 - 1 8 0

Sacramento State (21-34, 3-20) 110 001 30X - 6 9 1

WP - Kevin Marzion (4-6)

LP - Matthew Peña (3-8)

Matthew Peña, Brian Huck (8) and Octavio Amezquita; Kevin Marzion and Matt Wilson

TOP HITTERS - UOP - Joel Summers 2x3, 2B. SAC - Tito Barba 2x3, HR; Bret LeVier 2x4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI; Tim Reimer 2x3; Chris Kinsey 2B.