Big Sky Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State, which has combined for a 52-26 conference record over the last four years, was selected to finish third out of eight teams in the Big Sky Conference softball preseason coaches poll, it was announced by the league today.
Fifth-year head coach Lori Perez will oversee a roster that includes 13 returners from a year ago, including six positional starters and three pitchers. The Hornets will also welcome five newcomers to the roster, including two transfers from Div. I institutions. The Hornets finished 2017 with a 21-28-1 overall record and a 10-10 mark in league play, winning seven of their final 10 games of the season.
This year marks the sixth season of softball in the Big Sky, which is an eight team league. This year's Big Sky Tournament will take place in Ogden, Utah, at Weber State's home field from May 10-12. The winner of the three-day event receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals. This year will mark the first pre-determined Big Sky Tournament site. In the past, the winner of the regular season championship hosted the event.
Defending Big Sky Tournament champion Montana sits atop the preseason poll with 47 points and five first-place votes. Weber State, which won last year's Big Sky regular season title, sits in second with 45 points and three first-place votes. Rounding out the field are Sacramento State (37), Idaho State (27), North Dakota (T5th, 24), Southern Utah (T5th, 24), Northern Colorado (T7th, 10) and Portland State (T7th, 10).
The Hornets return three starters in the infield, comprised of second baseman Zamari Hinton, shortstop Sydney Rasmussen and corner infielder Mo Spieth. In addition, the Hornets return starting outfielders Suzy Brookshire, Marissa Maligad and Nene Alas. Hinton and Brookshire were first team all-conference selections while Spieth was an honorable mention all-league choice. The Hornets also welcome back Traci Shaw, who started 11 conference games at designated player, and Jessica Scott who started eight conference games behind the plate.
Sacramento State returns three pitchers, including right-handers Celina Matthias and Savanna Corr, as well as left-hander Danielle Sperry. Two years ago, Matthias was named third team all-Pacific Region, Big Sky Pitcher of the Year and first team all-league. She ranks in the program's top 10 in numerous career categories including fifth in appearances (103), sixth in strikeouts (309) and seventh in wins (38).
Of the 19 players on the roster, there are three seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores and two freshmen. Among the newcomers are Washington transfer Krystal Aubert and New Mexico State transfer Kaitlyn Rubio.
The Hornets open the 2018 season next week when they host a three-day, 10-game tournament at Shea Stadium that includes Cal, UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara. The tournament takes place Feb. 9-11, and features three games on Friday, four on Saturday, and three on Sunday. The Hornets play their first game of the tournament on Friday at 3 p.m. vs. Santa Clara. For tournament schedule and more information, click here for the tournament home page.
2018 BIG SKY PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team - Points (First Place Votes)
1. Montana (5) - 47
2. Weber State (3) - 45
3. Sacramento State - 37
4. Idaho State - 27
T5. North Dakota - 24
T5. Southern Utah - 24
T7. Northern Colorado - 10
T7. Portland State - 10

August 14, 2018
SOFTBALL SIGNS NEW MEXICO TRANSFER JENSEN MAIN

August 7, 2018
SOFTBALL’S VICKY RIOS ELEVATED TO ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH

May 17, 2018
BROOKSHIRE AND MATTHIAS NAMED ALL-PACIFIC REGION




April 18, 2018
BATS GO SILENT AS SOFTBALL DROPS TWO AGAINST SAINT MARY’S

April 11, 2018
SOFTBALL WINS FIFTH IN A ROW, BEATS SANTA CLARA, 3-1


March 30, 2018
SOFTBALL SPLITS A DOUBLEHEADER ON THE ROAD AT WEBER STATE


March 21, 2018
RAIN CANCELS SOFTBALL’S GAME AT CAL


March 15, 2018
RAIN FORCES CHANGES TO NORCAL SOFTBALL CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

March 13, 2018
ALAS NAMED THE BIG SKY SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

February 22, 2018
MATTHIAS’ SHUTOUT LEADS SOFTBALL TO DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT WITH STANFORD

February 21, 2018
SOFTBALL HOSTS STANFORD THURSDAY FOR DOUBLEHEADER AT NOON

February 19, 2018
SOFTBALL FALLS TO UC RIVERSIDE, COMPLETES TOURNAMENT WITH A 2-3 RECORD


February 15, 2018
SOFTBALL TO PLAY FIVE GAMES OVER THREE DAYS NEAR PALM SPRINGS


February 10, 2018
SATURDAY’S SOFTBALL GAME AGAINST CAL CANCELLED

February 10, 2018
UC SANTA BARBARA USES LATE COMEBACK TO BEAT SOFTBALL

February 1, 2018
SOFTBALL SELECTED THIRD IN THE BIG SKY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

November 30, 2017
WINTER PROSPECT CLINIC RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JAN. 20

October 20, 2017
23 HOME GAMES HIGHLIGHT SOFTBALL’S 2018 SCHEDULE