GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senior Brennan Leitao allowed just one run and two hits over six innings and senior Scotty Burcham had three hits to lead the offense in a 5-1 win over North Dakota on Friday afternoon.

With the win Sacramento State (22-19, 9-7 WAC) moved one game ahead of North Dakota (14-20, 8-8 WAC) and opened a stretch of nine road games in 10 days with a victory. North Dakota had taken two of three games at league-leading Seattle U last weekend.

Leitao picked up his fourth win of the year after allowing just three base runners in six innings of work. With four strikeouts Leitao moved past former Hornet pitcher Roland DeLaMazza into third place in program history with 209 career strikeouts.

The top six hitters in the Hornet lineup all had hits led by Burcham's ninth career three-hit game. He scored two runs while leadoff hitter Brandon Hunley and designated hitter Devin Lehman each drove in two runs.

Lehman drove in Burcham on a fielder's choice in the top of the first inning but North Dakota quickly answered with a run in the bottom half. Sacramento State scored twice in the third inning, with Lehman driving in Burcham with an RBI single and freshman Vinny Esposito following with an RBI triple.

In the sixth inning junior Dane Fujinaka led off with a single and junior Chris Lewis was hit by a pitch. With runners on second and third and two away Hunley smoked a double to center field to bring in two more Hornet runs.

With a 5-1 lead senior Ty Nichols threw two perfect innings to get the game to the ninth, where Hornet closer Sutter McLoughlin struck out two to complete the win.

The Hornets outhit UND 8-3 and the three Sacramento State pitchers allowed just two walks with eight strikeouts. The Hornets also completed their 20th error-free game of the season.

North Dakota senior starter Andrew Thome took the loss, allowing all five runs on eight hits over eight innings while striking out six. UND shortstop Tyler Follis, who entered the game hitting .405 this season, was 2-for-4 while the rest of the team went 1-for-23 in the game. All three North Dakota hits were singles.

Sacramento State looks to clinch the series win at noon Pacific Time Saturday with sophomore Justin Dillon slated to start.