WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a 1-0 pitchers dual into the eighth inning Fresno State scored seven times over the last two innings to pull away for an 8-0 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night at Raley Field.

Sacramento State (21-19) nearly tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh but had a runner thrown out at the plate. Fresno State (20-21) then scored five runs with two outs in the eighth and tacked on two more runs in the ninth.

Four Hornet pitchers stymied the Bulldogs for seven innings. Senior Ty Nichols threw a scoreless first before sophomore Jared Paderez entered and allowed just one hit with no walks and five strikeouts over three superb innings. Junior Grant Kukuk allowed just one unearned run on one hit over two innings and freshman Ryan Smith had a 10-pitch scoreless frame.

Hornet pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in the contest and allowed just two hits over the first 7.2 innings, but with two away in the eighth Fresno State got an infield single followed by two walks to load the bases. Bulldog first baseman Kevin Viers came through with the big blow, tripling to deep right center to clear the bases.

After another walk designated hitter Kenny Corey drove in two more runs with a line single to center. In the ninth, Hornet freshman Jeremiah Moore struck out the first two batters before three straight Bulldog hits, including another triple, pushed across two more runs.

The game was scoreless over the first four innings before Fresno State scratched across a run in the fifth with a hit batter, a passed ball, a bunt single, and a double play groundout. In the bottom of the seventh Hornet freshman Dan Deely drew a walk and with two away pinch hitter Ryan Locke laced a double down the left field line. Deely rounded third on the play but was cut down at the plate on a strong relay throw in by the Bulldogs.

Sacramento State totaled five hits in the game led by a 2-for-4 line, with a double, from senior Scotty Burcham. Fresno State finished with eight hits with leadoff hitter Taylor Tempel producing a 2-for-4 night with two runs scored.

Starter Ricky Thomas earned the win for the Bulldogs, allowing no runs on four hits with seven strikeouts over five innings. Four Fresno State relievers each pitched scoreless frames as the Bulldog staff totaled 13 strikeouts in the game while issuing just two walks.

With an 0-for-4 line on Wednesday Hornet junior outfielder Nathan Lukes saw his season-long reached base streak come to an end after getting aboard in each of the first 39 games of the year. He was the only WAC players and one of just four players nationally to reach base in every game this season. He is still hitting a robust .361 with a .460 on-base percentage for the year.

Sacramento State now embarks on its longest road trip of the year, playing nine games over a 10-day trip in which the team will play in four different states and two time zones. The stretch begins with a WAC series at North Dakota starting on Friday.