OREM, Utah – For the third time this season and the second against a Western Athletic Conference opponent, Sacramento State swept a doubleheader, defeating the Utah Valley Wolverines, 8-3, and 8-5, Friday in Orem.

The doubleheader sweep moves Sacramento State to 12-5 overall on the year and 5-1 in the WAC. Utah Valley falls to 2-11 overall and 0-2 as they began league play today.

The Hornets jumped out to an early lead Friday afternoon thanks to a towering Ryan Walstad home run in the first inning of the first game. The two-run blast was Walstad's first home run of the season and was the first of five hits on the afternoon for the senior first baseman.

Sacramento State added another in the second before Utah Valley put their first run on the board against Hornets' ace Scott Randall in the home half of the frame.

As if to answer, the Hornets scored two more in the third thanks to a Matt Smith RBI-double and an RBI-single from Walstad.

The Wolverines added one more in the sixth, making it a 5-2 game, but the Hornets pulled away in the top of the seventh, scoring three times on three hits, including an RBI-double from Walstad.

The Hornets scored eight times in 12 hits in game one, including three extra-base hits. Walstad and Smith, Sacramento State's number three and four hitters, respectively, combined to go 6-for-10 with four runs and five RBIs in just seven innings.

Steven Moretto, who homered in Friday's game one, and Dawsen Bacho each had two hits for the Hornets, as well.

On the mound, it was Scott Randall start to finish for the second time in as many starts. The right-hander threw his second seven-inning complete game in as many chances, allowing three runs on nine hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out six while throwing 93 pitches.

For the season, Randall is now 3-0 with a sparkling 2.03 ERA. In 31.0 innings, the junior righthander owns a 13,5 K:BB ratio and an 0.58 BB/9.

In game two of Friday's twin bill, it was Sacramento State again scoring first, thanks again to a hit off the bat of Ryan Walstad. With one out and two on, Walstad lined a base hit into right, scoring Jorge Bojorquez from second.

Utah Valley limited the first inning damage to just the one run and came back to take its first lead of the day with two runs in the fourth inning.

Just moments later, though, the Hornets tied things up when Dawsen Bacho lined a two-out base hit into left. The Hornets added three more in the next inning, retaking the lead for the rest of the game.

With Sacramento State up 5-3 in the eighth, Steven Moretto hit his second home run of the day, a solo shot out to left field to lead off the eight. The Hornets added another in the frame on a Jorge Bojorquez ground out before Moretto drove in the team's final run of the game with a ninth-inning base hit. 

Moretto was one of three Hornets to collect two hits in Friday's game two, as the third baseman was joined by Jorge Bojorquez and Ryan Walstad. 

After the simplicity of one pitcher in game one, Sacramento State turned to five different pitchers to get through game two. Freshman Noah Takacs got the start for Sacramento State, his third of the year, and tossed 3.2 innings while allowing two runs.

Brady Rodriguez, who picked up the win in relief, was next, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. Rodriguez, who has appeared in a team-high eight games this season, is now 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings of work.

Travis Martizia tossed an inning, allowing a run, before Jack Zalasky threw two perfect innings, striking out three. In 11.1 innings this season, Zalasky has struck out 17 and walked none while posting an 0.79 ERA.

Cole Tremain pitched the ninth, giving up the final two runs on two hits.

The doubleheader sweep on Friday was Sacramento State's third such sweep this season, first taking both games of a doubleheader against Texas State before sweeping both on the road at Tarleton last weekend.

Walstad, who drove in a team-high five in two games on Friday, finished 5-for-8 with a home run, a double, two runs scored, and five RBIs. He also drew a walk, reaching base six times in the two games.

For the season, Walstad raised his batting average to an even .400 and his on-base percentage to an exceptional .522.

Steven Moretto homered in both games Friday, giving him three on the season. He finished just one hit behind Walstad, going 4-for-7 in the doubleheader, scoring three times and driving in three. The junior slugger raised his average to .265 after Friday's showing.

This weekend's series in Orem continues tomorrow with game three of this four-game set. The Hornets and Wolverines are scheduled to get underway at 1 pm MT/12 pm PT on Saturday, March 20. Tomorrow's game will again stream live on the WAC Digital Network with live stats available from HornetSats.com. 

There is some threat of rain in the forecast for tomorrow so be sure to stay tuned to @SatStBaseball on Twitter and HornetSports.com for the latest in news and updates. And as always, direct links for video, live stats, news and notes, and more can be found on the Sacramento State baseball schedule online at HornetSports.com.