Sacramento State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning after back-to-back RBI doubles by juniors Jesse Schmidt and Mikela Olsen. With one out, sophomore Matt Wilson drew a walk from Cougar starter Karl Mejlholm. In the next at-bat, Schmidt doubled down the left-field line to score Wilson from first. Olsen followed with a double to left center to end the Hornets'' scoring.

Washington State answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning after a three-run triple to center by Collin Henderson.

The Cougars added another run in the second after a solo blast by Bruce Jacobsen over the left-field wall.

The Hornets cut the lead to 4-3 in the third inning when junior Chris Kinsey drove in Olsen from second with a base hit to left field. With two outs, Olsen drew a walk and then advanced to second on a single to right by junior John Acha. Kinsey followed with a grounder through the left side, allowing Olsen to beat the cut-off throw home for the run.

Washington State increased its lead to 9-3 in the third after a two-run fielding error by sophomore Everet Rincon, an RBI single by Justin Hart and a two-run double by Jay Miller.

Sacramento State made it 9-4 in the fourth when senior Tim Reimer drove in freshman Jim Strombach from second with a single to center. Strombach drew a walk to lead of the inning and then advanced to second on a groudout by Rincon. Reimer followed with a ground ball up the middle to score Strombach.

The Hornets added another run in the fifth after an RBI single by Kinsey. With one out, Acha singled to right and advanced to third on a fielding error by Miller in right field. Kinsey followed with a base hit to short to score Acha.

The Cougars increased their lead to 13-5 in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double by Hart, an RBI single by Miller, an RBI triple by Steve Mortimer and a run scoring single by Grant Richardson.

Sacramento State made it 13-7 in the sixth after a two-run double by Olsen. Wilson led off the inning with a double to right center and then moved to third after a base hit by Schmidt to to left. In the next at-bat, Olsen laced a drive down the left-field line to clear the bases.

Washington State added another run in the sixth when Miller drove in Jacobsen from second with a base hit up the middle.

The Hornets cut the lead to 14-8 in the seventh after a solo home run to left field by junior Cliff Hinkle.

The Cougars answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning when Richardson hit a drive over the left-field wall.

Washington State added two runs in the eighth after a two-run single by Mortimer.

Sacramento State cut the deficit to 17-11 in the ninth after an RBI double by Reimer, a sacrifice fly by Wilson and an RBI infield single by Schmidt.

Garret Alwert (2-4) earned the win after allowing six runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

Junior Dan Smith (4-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing nine runs (three earned) on seven hits while walking three and striking none in 2.2 innings.

Reimer increased hit season-high hitting streak to 10 games after going 2-for-6 in the contest. The San Jose native, who began his streak on April 24, also increased his team-high stolen base total to 23. Acha , Schmidt and Olsen recorded three hits in the contest to lead the Hornet offense.

Miller led the Cougar offense after going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and four RBI. Jacobsen was one hit shy of the cycle after finishing 3-for-5 with a single, a double, a home run, three runs and an RBI.

Sacramento State and Washington State will continue its three-game set on Saturday, May 10, at 6 p.m. before the finale on Sunday, May 11, at noon.