Sacramento State got on the board first in the second inning when freshman Jim Strombach drew an RBI bases loaded walk from Cal State Hayward starter Chris Regnart. Junior Mikela Olsen opened the inning with a single down the right field line. With two outs, Regnart walked sophomores Matt Wilson and Bret LeVier to load the bases and then proceeded to walk Strombach on a full count.

The Hornets made it 2-0 in the third when junior Chris Kinsey drove in senior Tim Reimer with a sacrifice fly. Reimer opened the inning with a base hit to left field. Reimer would steal second and then advance to third on a throwing error by catcher Jason Bumbaca. Kinsey would follow with a deep drive to left field that died at the warning track due to winds blowing out to right.

Cal State Hayward scored their first run in the fourth when Archie Gilbert recorded an RBI double. With one out in the inning, Caleb Cooper singled to left field. Gilbert followed with a shot down the left field line that made it a 2-1 contest.

Sacramento State added two more runs in the sixth after back-to-back RBI doubles by junior John Acha and Wilson. With two outs, junior Jesse Schmidt extended his team-high hitting streak to 15 games with a single to center field. Schmidt would steal second and then score on a double to left center by Acha. Wilson would follow with a deep drive over the head of Gilbert in center to make it 4-1.

The Pioneers added another run in the seventh after Gilbert beat a throw to the plate by LeVier on a fielder’s choice. Gilbert led off the inning with his second double of the contest and then stole third. With one out, Bumbaca hit a slow chopper to third which LeVier fielded and attempted to throw home. Gilbert managed to avoid the tag by Wilson to make it 4-2.

Sacramento State made it 5-2 in the bottom of the inning when Strombach scored on a wild pitch by Pioneer reliever Ryan Skelton. Strombach opened the inning with a double to right center and then stole third. Strombach would later score on Skelton’s bounced pitch that rolled to the wall.

Cal State Hayward would cut the lead to 5-3 in the eighth after an RBI single by Cooper but could not complete the comeback.

Junior Marshall Plouffe (5-2) earned the win after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out five and walking none in seven and two-thirds innings. Sophomore Warren Rosebrock recorded his first career save after pitching an inning and a third of perfect relief.

Regnart (4-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while walking three and striking out only one batter in six innings.

Acha and Strombach led the Hornet offense with two hits each. Schmidt, a native of San Diego, Calif., is now tied for fifth in program history with his 16-game hitting streak. The program record is 22 by Casey Simpson in 1992. Reimer, who recorded two steals in the contest, has now recorded a team-high 15 steals in 17 chances.

Sacramento State and Cal State Hayward will play the second game of the series on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. The final game of the series will be on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m.