SACRAMENTO -- Junior Jorge Bojorquez staked the Hornets to an early lead by driving in a run in the first and junior Gunner Gouldsmith slugged his first career home run deep over the wall in right two innings later, but visiting Central Michigan proved to be too much, slugging its way past Sacramento State for a 13-2 victory in seven innings on a damp Saturday evening at John Smith Field.

The loss was the third straight for the Hornets, who fell to 8-7 overall, while the Chippewas took three of four in the series to improve to 9-6.

A walk to Wehiwa Aloy, a wild pitch, and a ground ball put the first run of the game 90 feet away for Bojorquez, who lofted a ball to the gap in right centerfield, where CMU's Jacob Donahue made a diving catch to prevent extra bases. However, it wasn't enough to prevent the run as Aloy trotted home to give Sacramento State the early lead.

It didn't last long, however, as Central Michigan plated five runs in the second thanks to five straight singles to build a four-run lead before the Hornets could get the first out.

Gouldsmith clawed a run back in the home half of the third with two outs, taking an 0-1 pitch deep over the wall in right field, clearing the batter's eye for his first collegiate home run to make it 5-2.

Sacramento State worked out of a jam in the fourth, but could not hold back the Chippewas in the fifth as a home run and an error allowed two more runs to score, and they tacked on four more in the sixth and two more in the seven to invoke the run rule.

Cesar Valero had the Hornets' only other hit on the night, slapping a double to the wall in centerfield with two outs in the second.

Kevin Haynes (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season, striking out three over 3.2 innings of work as five pitchers saw time on the mount. Keegan Batka (3-1) earned the win, allowing just two runs on three hits over six innings.

Sacramento State's lengthy run of home games to start the year comes to a close next week, hosting four contests at John Smith Field. The Hornets welcome long-time rival Fresno State on Tuesday (March 14) at 6 p.m., before opening Western Athletic Conference play against Grand Canyon in a three-game series on March 17-19. First pitch in the series with the 'Lopes is scheduled for 6 p.m., 4 p.m., and Noon, on their respective days.