SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Sacramento State scored six runs and matched its season-high with 11 hits, but it was Santa Clara who came out on top of Sunday's 10-6 finale. With Sunday's loss, the Hornets split the series in Santa Clara.

Sacramento State (7-4) had 11 hits on Sunday, matching its season-high output from a night ago, and scored six runs, typically more than enough for a Hornets win. Santa Clara (4-7) came out swinging, though, scoring 10 times on 12 hits just one night after being shut out by the Hornets' staff.

Things started early for the Santa Clara offense as the Broncos tagged Sacramento State starter Eli Saul for four runs on four hits and a walk in just on inning.

Saul, who took a no decision in his third start of the season, lasted just the one inning and was the first of seven Hornets pitchers to see action on Sunday.

Undeterred by the early deficit, Sacramento State battled its way back, scoring three in the second on a Keith Torres two-run double and a Jorge Bojorquez RBI-single. Just one inning later, the Hornets tied the game at four thanks to an RBI-double off the bat of Steven Moretto.

The tie was not long-lived, however, as Santa Clara exploded for a six-run fourth inning to take a commanding 10-4 lead. Santa Clara had help from a critical Hornets throwing error and all six runs in the inning were unearned. 

Sacramento State managed to scratch across a run in both the eighth and ninth innings – even loading the bases with nobody out in the ninth – but was unable to do more than that as the game went final, 10-6. 

Four Hornets – Torres, Bojorquez, Trevor Doyle, and Matt Smith – each had two hits in Sunday's finale. Making his first start of the season, Matt Smith finished 2-for-5 with a double. Bojorquez, who drove in two on Sunday, closed out an impressive series in which he went 7-for-17 with seven RBIs.

On the mound, Sacramento State used seven different pitchers to get through Sunday's finale at Santa Clara. Behind Saul, Rylan Tinsley threw two innings and was ultimately charged with his first loss of the season. Wesley Harper threw an inning and was on the mound for Santa Clara's final three runs in the fourth. 

The next four pitchers fared much better against the Broncos as relievers Kevin Haynes, Brady Rodriguez, Travis Martizia, and Jack Zalasky combined for four shutout innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out seven.

This weekend's four-game set at Santa Clara was one of Sacramento State's last against a non-conference opponent as the team now turns to Western Athletic Conference play for the foreseeable future.

Up first for the Hornets on their WAC schedule is a trip to Stephenville, Texas to take on WAC newcomers Tarleton State. The Hornets and Texan Riders will open a four-game series Friday afternoon at 12 p.m. PT.

All four of this weekend's upcoming games will stream live on the WAC Digital Network. Direct links for video, live stats, and more can be found online on the Sacramento State baseball schedule at HornetSports.com.