SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State overcame an early lead with five runs in the first two innings on its way to a 9-3 victory over the Milwaukee baseball team Thursday night at John Smith Field.
 
The Panthers (1-4) were unable to use a 1-0 lead to their advantage, seeing the Hornets (2-2) jump ahead with three in their half of the first inning before plating two more in the second for what turned out to be an insurmountable lead.
 
"It's kind of the same story," head coach Scott Doffek said. "We just didn't command the zone enough to give us a chance. Their guy did a good job of working ahead and using both sides of the plate. So far, we have been showing our inexperience in all phases. The goal is to learn, relax and to improve and that is exactly what we are going to do."
 
Milwaukee drew within three runs in the top of the fourth, making it 5-2 on an RBI-single from Jack Kraus before the midway point of the day. Sacramento State was quick to build from there, regaining its advantage on a sac fly in the bottom of the frame before building a larger advantage from there.
 
Jack Thelen drove in another run in the fifth with a single, closing out the scoring for MKE on the day.
 
Jack Mahoney (0-2) took the loss, allowing seven earned runs in 4.1 innings. He walked two and struck out five. Jack Cavanaugh (1.0 IP/2 K) and Trent Blake (1.0 IP/1 K) finished the evening with two scoreless frames.
 
The offense was limited to five hits. Nate DeYoung led the way with a 2-for-4 outing, scoring once, and Zach Nogalski also finished with a hit.
 
The teams return to the field Friday for game two, set for a first pitch of 7 p.m. CST.