OGDEN, Utah -- Caroline Evans had a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth, and right-hander Jenna Birch picked up a complete game victory in Sacramento State's 4-3 win at Weber State on Saturday afternoon.

The extra inning thriller featured a combined 27 runners left on base, 16 walks, and three hours, four minutes of play. The Hornets (23-18, 4-4) were able to salvage the three-game Big Sky Conference series after Weber State (19-23, 7-5) swept a doubleheader yesterday.

Birch, a sophomore, was making her first-ever spring collegiate appearance in the circle, and proceeded to allow just five hits with seven strikeouts over nine innings. Despite a tight strike zone all afternoon, Birch was able to work around 11 walks while throwing 209 pitches. That included getting out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the eighth inning.

In fact, Birch stranded 15 runners on base, including multiple runners in the first, fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth. Her 209th pitch resulted in a strikeout to end the game, stranding the potential tying runner on second base. Birch yielded just five hits and plenty of soft contact, while holding Weber State scoreless the final five innings of the contest.

Hornet ace Marissa Bertuccio, who would have pitched today's game, was unavailable because of injury.

Sacramento State outhit Weber State, 12-5, but stranded 12 runners on base. The Hornets had multiple-hit games from Gwen Ludwig (3), Nikki Barboza (2) and Andrea Lira (2). In fact, eight of Sacramento State's nine starters had at least one hit.

Perhaps the biggest hit of the game came on a triple from Malissa George to open the ninth. One batter later, Caroline Evans' sacrifice fly scored George with what proved to be the game-winning run. It was the second sacrifice fly for Evans, who had another in the third to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead.

Other Hornet runs included an RBI-single from Lira in the second, and RBI-double from Nikki Barboza in the third. Weber State worked its way back with two runs in the third to cut the deficit to 3-2, and eventually tie at 3-3 with a run in the fourth.

Lewa Day, who missed the last four games with injury, pinch hit in the eighth inning but was intentionally walked. The Hornets have missed Day's prolific bat, scoring just seven runs in the last 45 innings since Day was injured in the first inning of the opener vs. Portland State.

Sacramento State will conclude the regular season next week with a home three-game series with Montana. The Hornets and Griz will play a doubleheader Friday at noon, followed by a single game Saturday at noon. Prior to Saturday's game, 10 Hornet seniors will be honored for their contributions to the program.