The loss in the first game snapped the Hornets’ season-long eight-game winning streak as the team hadn’t lost since March 27. The two runs scored by Saint Mary’s in the opener also marked the first time that Sacramento State’s pitching staff has allowed more than one run in the last nine games. Winners of 12 of its last 14 contests, Sacramento State is now 27-17 overall and 5-1 in the PCSC. Saint Mary’s moved to 9-30 and 2-4.

Ferguson threw a three-hit shutout in the second game, striking out three and facing just four batters over the minimum. The right-hander has now won six-consecutive starts and has not allowed an earned run over each of her last 42.0 innings (spanning six appearances). With today’s victory, she improved to 12-8 with a 1.13 ERA.

The Hornets scored single runs in the third and fifth innings on a sacrifice fly and RBI-single from junior Erin Coyne. Sacramento State added an insurance run in the seventh on a two-out, RBI-single from junior Lesley Mayhorn. Ferguson allowed just one Saint Mary’s runner past first base during the entire game as the Gaels’ Jenn Arnold led the team with two hits.

Mayhorn and seniors Amber Dragomir and Amy Walter each had two hits for Sacramento State as the team tallied 10 hits. Saint Mary’s Lisa Bautista (4-9) got the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) and 10 hits in seven innings.

In the first game, Michelle Mathis’ one-out, walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Saint Mary’s the victory. Prior to the home run, Hornet pitcher Nicole Deatherage had retired nine of the last 10 batters.

Sacramento State tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning after taking advantage of a Saint Mary’s error allowing pinch runner Stephanie Lockhart to score. The Hornets eventually had runners at second and third with no outs in the inning, but could not score again as Eaton retired Amy Jo McKenzie, Amanda Moreland and Amy Hillel.

The Hornets had just four hits in the game, but left eight runners on base, including a pair in both the fourth and sixth innings. Deatherage (13-7, 0.67 ERA) had won each of her last six decisions prior to taking the loss in game one. The senior co-captain also allowed more than one earned run in game for the first time in her last 16 appearances. She still has allowed just five earned runs in her last 115.0 innings pitched.

Eaton (5-17) walked just one batter while striking out four. Sacramento State has now played into extra innings three times in its last four games, winning two of those three contests.

Sacramento State and Saint Mary’s conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader tomorrow (Saturday, April 10) at Cottrell Field at noon.