NORIEGA DRIVES IN FOUR RUNS, SOFTBALL CRUSHES SAINT MARY’S, 13-2

4/29/2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Seven different Sacramento State players had at least one RBI, including four from freshman Alicia Noriega, as the Hornets defeated Saint Mary’s, 13-2, in a Pacific Coast Softball Conference game Wednesday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

Today’s game was a makeup for a date earlier this season that was rained out, and marked the Hornets’ final home game of the year.

With the victory, Sacramento State (24-23, 10-6) inched above the .500 mark for the first time since the third game of the season when the team was 2-1. In addition, the Hornets remained alive in their quest to win the PCSC championship for the second straight season. However, it will not be easy as the Hornets need to sweep all four games at Santa Clara this weekend, and they need help from Loyola Marymount, which hosts Portland State this weekend.

Here is the situation: Portland State (12-4) is in first place in the conference standings with just four games remaining, while Sacramento State is in sole possession of second place at 10-6. The Vikings not only have a two-game lead over the Hornets, they also own the tiebreaker by virtue of taking three of four games from Sacramento State earlier this year in Portland.

So, there are two scenarios that would allow Sacramento State to win the PCSC title and receive the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. (1) The Hornets need to win all four games this weekend AND Loyola Marymount either sweeps or takes three of four from Portland State. (2) Sacramento State wins three of four games this weekend AND Loyola Marymount sweeps Portland State.

After Saint Mary’s (23-26, 7-9) scored today’s first run in the first inning, the Hornets were able to score seven times in the third and six more in the fourth inning. The game was called after Saint Mary’s at-bat in the fifth inning as the Hornets had more than enough runs to enforce the eight-run mercy rule.

“Our bats caught fire last weekend (against Loyola Marymount), and they stayed hot again today,” Sacramento State head coach Kathy Strahan said. “Softball is a game of momentum, and right now, that momentum is on our side. Hopefully, that carries into this weekend and we take care of business.”

Noriega finished 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs, including a three-run double in the fourth inning. Rachel Miles, Jenice Bartee, Desiree Beltran, Jamie Schloredt, Sherry Clark and Whitney Loomis each had one RBI as all but two Hornet starters had RBIs in the game. Five different Sacramento State players had multiple-hit games, including Bartee who went 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and her third home run of the season.

Beltran (2-for-4, a run and an RBI), Schloredt (2-for-2, two walks, one run and an RBI), Loomis (2-for-3, two runs, a triple and an RBI) and Noriega also had multiple-hit games. Sacramento State sent 12 batters to the plate in its seven-run third inning, and 10 batters to the plate in its six-run fourth.

Sophomore Megan Schaefer (14-7) got the win, allowing four hits and one run while striking out two and walking none over four innings. Freshman Shelby Voelz pitched the last inning, allowing a hit and an unearned run. Three Saint Mary’s pitchers appeared in the game with Britany Linton (7-12) talking the loss.

Sacramento State will play doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday against Santa Clara at noon. Santa Clara is 6-45 overall this season, 1-15 in the PCSC and 3-9 at home.