STROUD IMPRESSIVE IN SOFTBALL’S LOSS TO NINTH-RANKED CAL

4/6/2011

Freshman right-hander Taylor Stroud threw five dominant innings of relief against #9 Cal

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State freshman right-hander Taylor Stroud threw five shutout innings of relief, but it was not enough as ninth-ranked Cal defeated the Hornets, 4-0, in a non-conference softball game Wednesday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

Cal scored a pair of runs in both the first and second innings, before Stroud was inserted into the game to begin the third. The Santa Rosa, Calif., native proceeded to allow the ninth ranked team in the nation just two hits while walking none and striking out three over the final five innings. She faced three batters over the minimum and needed just 52 pitches to complete the relief stint.

Overshadowing Stroud’s performance, however, was the dominant effort of Cal starter Jolene Henderson. The only blemish on Henderson’s line was a bunt single by Alyssa Nakken to begin the seventh inning. Henderson retired the first 18 batters of the game in succession before Nakken laid down a bunt on the first pitch she saw in the seventh. After the hit, Henderson retired the next three batters of the game.

Henderson (21-4), who narrowly missed tossing her second career perfect game, threw 77 pitches, including 56 strikes. She faced just 22 batters while striking out six. Henderson and Stroud’s efficiency were two big reasons why the game was played in a speedy one hour and 20 minutes.

With the victory, Cal improved to 23-6 while Sacramento State dropped to 8-16. The Bears also improved to 47-11 all-time against the Hornets.

A Jace Williams’ RBI-single in the first inning and a two-run homer by Elia Reid in the second highlighted Cal’s scoring. Williams, Jamia Reid and Victoria Jones each finished with two hits and were the only players with multiple-hit games.

Sacramento State starter Megan Schaefer (4-6) worked the first two innings of the game and picked up the loss.

The Hornets return to the field when they open Pacific Coast Softball Conference play this weekend at home against San Diego. The two teams will play doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday at noon.