VOELZ’S SHUTOUT HIGHLIGHTS SOFTBALL’S SPLIT WITH SAN DIEGO

4/17/2010

SAN DIEGO – Sacramento State sophomore right-hander Shelby Voelz tossed a five-hit shutout to highlight the Hornets’ split with San Diego in a Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the USD Softball Complex.

After Sacramento State dropped the first game, 2-1, the Hornets were able to bounce back with a 4-0 victory in the nightcap.

With the split, Sacramento State improved to 14-25 overall and 4-1 in the PCSC. The Hornets’ loss in the opening game of the doubleheader snapped an 11-game PCSC winning streak that dated back to last year.

San Diego moved its record to 12-21 and 1-3 in the conference. These same two teams will play another doubleheader tomorrow at noon to wrap up the four-game series. Sacramento State has won 11 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams dating back to 2007.

In the second game, Voelz (7-13) picked up her seventh victory and second shutout of the season after allowing just five hits with three walks and four strikeoutS.

Voelz’s outing didn’t start well as the first three batters she faced reached base safely via hit or walk. However, the Vancouver, Wash., native proceeded to get out of the bases-loaded jam, and pitched well the rest of the way. In fact, after those first three batters, she allowed just three hits the rest of the way and retired 21 of the next 27 batters she faced. San Diego left at least one runner on base in every inning but the fifth as Voelz stranded nine Torero runners for the game.

Sacramento State’s offense recorded 10 hits during the contest, marking the ninth time this season the team has tallied double figures in hits, and fourth time in the last five games. The Hornets scored a single run in the third inning (Alyssa Nakken RBI) and tacked on three more in the sixth. The inning was highlighted by a leadoff home run to center field by Emily McCormick, and Jillian Canete eventually followed with an RBI-double and Molly Smith an RBI-single. Both the Canete and Smith hits came with two outs in the inning.

All but two Sacramento State starters had at least one hit in the game, including McCormick (3-for-4, a run and an RBI) and Kelli Frye (2-for-4). Canete and Kelly Shepard each had doubles, and Erin Jones, with a hit in both games, extended her hitting streak to five games.

A pair of San Diego hurlers pitched in the game, with starter Kaitlin Healy (1-5) taking the loss.

In the opener, San Diego’s Jennifer Ellenbeck (9-10) allowed just three hits and one unearned run over seven inning to pick up her ninth win of the season. Ellenbeck, who walked one and struck out five, retired the side in order in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. In fact, she set down each of the last eight Hornets she faced.

Sacramento State got on the board in the top of the second when Marissa Navarro laid down a bunt single that allowed Jones to score from third base. Jones had led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on an error by the Toreros’ center fielder.

In the bottom of the third, Hornet starter Megan Schaefer looked like she would have an easy inning after retiring the first two batters. However, Chelsea Kamai’s double was the first of four consecutive San Diego hits (including two infield singles) which led to both Torero runs. Danielle Duhart and Taylor Hensley both had RBI-singles.

Four of San Diego’s five hits came in the third inning, as Schaefer was dominant in every other inning. In fact, Schaefer (5-4) didn’t allow a runner past first base in every inning but the third, and retired the side in order in the first, second, fifth and sixth innings. The right-hander finished the game allowing five hits and two runs while walking none and striking out four.

Jones, Navarro and Smith were the only Hornets with hits.