SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Winthrop Eagles used a relentless offensive attack and a dominant performance from their bullpen to secure a series victory, defeating the Sacramento State Hornets 7-5 on Saturday at John Smith Field.

In a game that saw the Eagles pound out 13 hits, the outcome was ultimately decided by a pivotal three-run rally in the fifth inning and four relievers combining for 5 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball.

Winthrop (17-7) seized control early. Center fielder Josh Skowronski launched a solo home run to right field in the top of the first inning, giving the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish. Sacramento State (9-15) responded with two runs in the second on a two-run single by Cortez and added another in the third on an RBI single from Poturnak, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the fifth inning, breaking the contest open. With the Eagles leading 3-2, Chazz Grossington and Natividad were both hit by pitches. Skowronski then delivered a crucial run-scoring single to center, driving in Grossington. After a pitching change, designated hitter Cornelius Wouters singled through the left side to plate Natividad. Right fielder Grant McGuire capped the decisive rally with a double to left center, scoring Skowronski and pushing the Winthrop advantage to 6-2.

That offensive burst provided ample cushion for a Winthrop bullpen that was nearly untouchable. After starter Randy Guzman allowed three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings, Garrett Byrd entered and recorded the final out of the third. Byrd, Harrison Wilson and Walker Brodt then proceeded to stifle the Hornets’ lineup. From the final out of the third inning through the end of the eighth, the trio, along with Rehkow who recorded one out, did not allow a single hit.

Sacramento State mounted its final threat in the sixth, scoring two runs on an RBI double by Sam Harry and a run-scoring single from Sewell to pull within 6-5. Brodt entered with two outs in the inning and promptly struck out Cortez looking to end the rally. He then worked a perfect seventh.

Winthrop added an insurance run in the eighth when Wouters, who finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs, doubled to left center to score Ben. Harrison Wilson returned to pitch a scoreless ninth, securing the win.

The Eagles’ bullpen quartet of Byrd, Wilson, Brodt and Rehkow faced 19 batters over 5 1/3 innings, allowing no hits, two earned runs, and striking out seven. Wilson earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of perfect relief. Offensively, Winthrop was led by multi-hit games from Wouters, Skowronski (2 for 4, home run, two RBIs), McGuire (3 for 4, RBI) and Grossington (3 for 4, RBI).

For Sacramento State, Carson Timothy provided 3 2/3 innings of solid relief, allowing one earned run on four hits, but the Hornets’ eight-hit offense could not solve the Eagles’ relievers late. Sam Harry went 2 for 3 with an RBI in the loss.

The victory gave Winthrop the series win after the teams split the first two games, a 13-1 Hornets win on Thursday and a 14-12 Eagles victory on Friday. Both teams are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday. Winthrop will host Davidson, while Sacramento State begins a two-game road set at Kansas.