LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Sacramento State baseball team scored early and often in their Friday night win over New Mexico State. The Hornets scored six times before the fifth inning en route to their 7-3 win over the Aggies.

The scoring started in the second inning for Sacramento State, who drove in two in the top of the frame. After PJ Floyd doubled, Keith Torres was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with two away.

In a double-steal attempt by the Hornets, New Mexico State's catcher threw the ball into left field. The errant throw skipped away far enough for both runners to score, giving Sacramento State the 2-0 lead. It was the ninth time in the last 11 games that Sacramento State scored the game's first runs. 

The Hornets continued to add on, scoring two more in the top of the third inning thanks to RBI singles from both Matt Smith and Steven Moretto.

Smith added two more with a big two-run double in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 6-0 ballgame. The Hornets added their seventh and final run in the seventh inning thanks to an RBI-groundout off the bat of James Outman.

In total, Smith led the team with three hits and three runs driven in. Floyd had two hits and also scored a run while James outman drew two walks and scored each time.

Sacramento State's seven runs came on nine hits. They drew four walks as a team and took advantage of three New Mexico State errors. Although they scored seven times, they also left 11 runners on base over the course of the game.

The seven runs were more than enough for starter Parker Brahms, who returned to form Friday night after back-to-back rough outings. Brahms tossed six innings for the Hornets, allowing just one run on five hits and a walk while striking out six. He scattered just three hits over the game's first four innings before New Mexico State broke through for their first run in the fifth.

Brahms picked up his second win of the season with the effort and lowered his ERA to 2.20. For the season, the sophomore righty has 47 strikeouts and just six walks, good for a 7.8 K:BB ratio

Brahms was backed up by Austin Roberts and Tanner Dalton. Roberts struggled in his one inning, allowing two runs on four hits as the Aggies made it a 7-3 game.

Dalton, however, continued his streak of shutout innings, throwing a perfect eighth and ninth while striking out four of the six batter he faced, including striking out the side in the ninth. The junior right-hander now has four saves in has last four opportunities.

The win moves the Hornets to 10-14 on the season while improving them to 1-1 in WAC play. They'll close out their series at New Mexico State with a third game tomorrow, Saturday, March 31, at 10 am PT. Austin Root (3-2, 3.35) is set to take the mound for the Hornets. He and the Hornets face a challenge as they go up against New Mexico State's southpaw Jonathan Groff (5-1, 2.97).