FRESNO (Interstat) — San Diego State rallied from a two-run deficit with a three-run homer by Tyce Peterson in the sixth inning and Bryce McKnight threw five shutout innings of relief to lead the Aztecs to an 8-5 victory over Fresno State on Saturday at Selland Arena.

Peterson went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs, and Jake Jackson had a 3-for-4 day with a homer and three RBIs to power the Aztecs’ 16-hit attack. Jabin Trosky, Max Farrell and Jaden Sky each also homered for San Diego State, which improved to 25-18 overall and 1-1 in the weekend Mountain West series. Fresno State dropped to 12-27.

Fresno State right fielder Marcus Nolen hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Center fielder Sky Collins added a solo homer for the Bulldogs, who managed nine hits.

Trailing 5-3 entering the sixth, San Diego State loaded the bases with two walks and a wild pitch. After a strikeout and a pitching change, Peterson launched the first pitch from reliever Wyatt Thornbury over the left-field fence for a three-run homer that put the Aztecs ahead for good.

McKnight, who entered with two outs in the fifth after the Bulldogs had taken a 5-3 lead, retired the next 13 batters he faced. He struck out eight without allowing a hit or a walk over five innings, matching his season high for strikeouts. McKnight had allowed one earned run over three innings in each of his previous two relief appearances.

Fresno State’s Tyler Patrick started and allowed three earned runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Drew Talavs started for San Diego State and gave up four earned runs on three hits over four innings.

The game featured five home runs overall. San Diego State’s Jackson opened the scoring in the third inning with an RBI single, but Nolen tied it with a solo homer in the bottom half. Jackson’s two-run homer in the fifth put the Aztecs ahead 3-1 before the Bulldogs answered with four runs in the bottom half. Nolen hit a two-run homer, Collins followed with a solo shot, and an unearned run on a double-play groundout gave Fresno State a 5-3 lead.

San Diego State added insurance in the ninth on solo homers by Sky and Farrell. Peterson also contributed a sacrifice bunt and a hit by pitch.

The Aztecs’ victory came one day after they won Friday’s series opener 4-3 in 11 innings. The teams conclude the three-game set Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of San Diego State 7, Fresno State 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave Fresno State a 56.20 percent probability to win.