SAN ANTONIO — Sacramento State pounded out 16 hits and cruised to a 12-1, run-rule victory in eight innings at UTSA on Saturday afternoon at Roadrunner Field.
The Hornets (22-16, 8-6 WAC), who evened the series with the Roadrunners (20-18, 5-8 WAC), received at least one hit from each member of the starting lineup.
Nathan Lukes led the way with a 4-for-5 day at the plate, which included two doubles and a pair of RBIs, while Will Soto was 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs.
Meanwhile, Brennan Leitao was equally as good on the mound for Sacramento State.
The right-hander, who improved to 5-2 on the season, limited UTSA to only three hits, all of which came in the first two panels, and a first-inning run. Leitao also walked two and struck out three in seven stanzas.
The Roadrunners took a lead in their first at-bat on RJ Perucki's sacrifice fly which drove in Daniel Rockett, who led off with a single.
However, the Hornets answered with two runs against UTSA starting pitcher Jordan Pacheco in the following frame, including Dane Fujinaka's go-ahead sacrifice fly.
Sacramento State never looked back and scored three in the fifth, twice in the seventh and five times in the eighth to clinch take an 11-run advantage.
Pacheco (7-2) allowed five runs on nine hits and lasted 5.1 innings. The right-hander also fanned five and walked a pair.
The rubber game of the set is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday. Left-hander Nolan Trabanino (3-2, 4.22 ERA) will start on the mound for the Birds, while the Hornets plan to counter with right-hander Tanner Mendonca (1-3, 5.59 ERA).