SACRAMENTO, Calif.- While pitching and defense set the tone for the success during the first two games of the series, the script was flipped on the CSUB Roadrunners on Sunday as Sacramento State pounded out seven extra-base hits, scoring their first runs of the series, en route to a 7-4 win over CSUB in the series finale.

The Roadrunners (22-15-1, 10-3-1 WAC) were tested early when the Hornets led the game off with a double to left field. Sacramento would strand that runner as starter Nick Rogowski pitched out of the jam. CSUB would take the lead in the top of the second inning after a single and stolen base by Ryan Grotjohn. He would score on a Chance Gusbeth RBI single with one out.

That would be the only lead of the game for the 'Runners who allowed the Hornets to score the tying run in the third inning following a leadoff double and RBI single. Sacramento State took the lead in the fourth following a single and an RBI triple from Brandon Hunley.

The Hornets took control in the fifth inning scoring first on a RBI single from Chad Lewis who scored Gunnar Pollman who led the inning off with a double. The Hornets added two more in the inning following a two-run homerun from Vinny Esposito to left.

Esposito would add another solo homerun in the seventh off reliever Steven Gee to put the Hornets up 6-1. CSUB scored twice in the top of the eighth on a two-out RBI single from Ross Hough but allowed the Hornets to get one run back in the bottom half of the inning after reliever Garrett Nimmo was called for a balk with a runner on third.

CSUB added one more in the ninth inning following an RBI single from Max Carter which scored David Metzgar who hit a one-out double. Metzgar originally stopped at third base but when Lewis, the Sacramento left fielder held the ball in his glove, Metzgar broke for home and scored.

CSUB was then retired on a double play to end the game.

The loss snaps a nine-game winning streak for the Roadrunners, it was their longest streak since winning 10 games in 2011.

The Roadrunners return home Wednesday night opening an eight-game home stand with a non-conference matchup against Cal State Fullerton at 6 p.m. CSUB, remains just 1.5 games back of first place in the Western Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners host first-place Seattle U next Friday through Sunday at Hardt Field.  First pitch Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m., Saturday's first pitch will be at 2 p.m. and Sunday at Noon.

~www.GoRunners.com~