MORAGA, Calif. – Sacramento State’s offense generated just nine hits over two games and the defense allowed six unearned runs to score as Saint Mary’s swept a Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) doubleheader from the Hornets Sunday afternoon at Cottrell Field.
The Gaels won the first game, 4-2, before taking the nightcap by a 4-1 score.
In arguably the Hornets’ most important doubleheader of the season, Sacramento State had trouble hitting (9-for-51, .176 batting average), hitting in the clutch (3-for-18 with runners on base, 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position) and fielding (three errors). In fact, those three errors directly led to six unearned runs as Saint Mary’s combined to score just two earned runs all day long.
The sweep was a big blow to the Hornets’ playoff chances. With just two weeks left in the regular season, Sacramento State (16-29, 6-5) finds itself in third place in the conference standings. The team sits two and a half games back of first place Loyola Marymount (9-3) and 1.5 games back of second-place Saint Mary’s (21-18, 7-3) with only nine games remaining on the regular season schedule.
Of those final nine games, five will come at home next week, including a makeup game against Santa Clara (1-10) on Thursday, and a four-game series over the weekend with Cal State Bakersfield (6-6). The Hornets conclude the regular season with a four-game series at Loyola Marymount on May 8-9.
In today’s opener, Sacramento State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Amber Roszkos’ two-out, two-run single scored both Erin Jones and Emily McCormick.
However, the Gaels responded with three runs in the second inning, only two of which were earned. With the bases loaded and one out, second baseman Molly Smith fielded a ground ball and threw wildly home, allowing one run to score. That opened the flood games, and by the time the dust had settled, the Gaels had scored three runs on four hits and the very costly Hornet error.
After the first inning, Sacramento State’s bats were held silent by the combination of Saint Mary’s pitchers Kimberly Green and Britany Linton. In fact, the Hornets tallied just two hits and advanced just two runners past first base during the final six innings. Five of those innings were pitched by Linton (11-9), who in a relief appearance, allowed just one hit and one walk over the last five innings.
Saint Mary’s tacked on an insurance run (which was unearned because of a passed ball) in the seventh inning to provide the final 4-2 score. Sacramento State starter Megan Schaefer (6-6) got the loss, allowing seven hits and four runs (one earned) over seven innings.
In the second game, a throwing error by Hornet catcher Ashlee Adkins allowed Saint Mary’s to score an unearned run in the first inning. The Gaels tacked on more in the fourth after a dropped fly ball by Hornet center fielder Kelli Frye eventually allowed two unearned runs to score.
Sacramento State got its only run of the game in the sixth inning when a Saint Mary’s error allowed Jenice Bartee to score. The Hornets were limited to just four hits, including a pair from Kelly Shepard, as Jessica Lemmon (3-5) picked up the win for the Gaels. She allowed four hits and one unearned run while walking none and striking out three over seven innings.
Sacramento State had a big opportunity in the third inning, loading the bases with one out, but Lemmon was able to work out of the jam.
Hornet starter Shelby Voelz (8-15) got the loss, allowing four hits and four runs (one earned) while striking out eight over six innings. Jacquelyn Serrano pitched a perfect inning of relief in the seventh.
Only one Hornet (Shepard) combined for more than one hit during the doubleheader, and Jones saw her season-best nine-game hitting streak come to an end.
Sacramento State’s final five regular season home games all come this week with the makeup date vs. Santa Clara, and the four-game series against Cal State Bakersfield. The Hornets have won four straight and five of their last six games inside the friendly confines. Prior to Sunday’s doubleheader, Sacramento State senior captains Bartee and Katie Bossenmaier will be honored for their contributions to the program.
