For SF State's baseball team, nine is more than just the number of players on the field or innings played. After only eight wins last season, nine is a milestone.

Though the Gators are laboring through another disappointing season, the team was able to surpass last season's win total of eight with a dramatic 6-5 victory over Cal Baptist University Monday at Maloney Field.

SF State outfielder Bobby Carini drove in what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, breaking the 5-5 deadlock and improving the Gators' overall record to 9-26.

"The team came out flat... we knew we had to pick it up," said Carini, who also scored a run in the second inning. "I think this was the best win we've had all year."

While nine victories in 35 tries isn't exactly cause for a champagne celebration, the win did give reasons for the team to be optimistic.

The Gators, whose offense has struggled most of the season, were able to tally up 16 hits against the Lancers, enabling them to rally from a 5-3 deficit.

"I'm really proud of our guys, they've played hard all year," said head coach Tony Dress. "I'm so happy for them, but we're not settling for [only nine wins] to be okay."

Starting pitcher Patrick Haugen tossed his fourth complete game of the season for SF State, racking up eight strikeouts during his outing. Haugen gave up five earned runs over the first three innings, but settled down to keep Cal Baptist off the board for the remainder of the game.

"I just focused on shutting them down and not letting them get back in the game," Haugen said.

Dress was in awe of his pitcher's ability to settle down after giving up an early lead, allowing his offense to chip away for five innings at the Lancer's advantage.

"No lead [for the opposition] is safe with Pat on the hill," Dress said. "He can really control the game."

The Gators jumped out to an early lead in the first inning with an RBI single from shortstop Nick Nyman, who had three hits in the game. The Lancers would answer back in the second inning with a two-run home run by Bobby Burk, giving them a 2-1 advantage.

The see-saw battle continued in the bottom of the inning when SF State put themselves back on top 3-2 after Nyman drilled his second RBI of the game. Cal Baptist countered with three runs of their own the next inning, giving the visitors a 5-3 lead they would later surrender.

SF State returns to the diamond Friday at 11 a.m. for a weekend series against Cal Poly Pomona at Maloney Field.