With the doubleheader sweep, Sacramento State went 3-1 in the four-game series with Saint Mary’s while improving its conference record to 7-1. In addition, the Hornets have won 11 of their last 12 games and moved to a season-best 12 games above the .500 mark (29-17). Saint Mary’s dropped to 9-32 overall and 2-6 in the conference.

In the first game, Sacramento State posted all four of its runs in the second inning and rode the arm of junior pitcher Brianne Ferguson. Saint Mary’s had just three hits during the entire game as Ferguson allowed just one unearned run while facing six batters over the minimum. Ferguson retired the final nine batters of the game in succession.

The Hornets took advantage of two Gael errors in the second inning as sophomore Lindy Winkler and Walter each had RBIs in the inning. Senior Amanda Moreland finished the game with two hits, while Winkler and Walter both added doubles.

Jennifer Eaton (5-18), who defeated Sacramento State on Friday, took the loss while allowing six hits, four runs (one earned) and two walks in six innings. Although the games were played on Saint Mary’s home field, Sacramento State was the designated home team in both contests per PCSC rules. In yesterday’s doubleheader, Saint Mary’s was the home team.

In game two, Sacramento State scored single runs in the second, third and seventh innings, and Ferguson picked up her second win of the day in relief. The Hornets and Gaels were deadlocked at 2-2 until the seventh inning. In the top of the seventh, Sacramento State starter Nicole Deatherage was pulled after issuing a leadoff walk to Jordann Bass. Ferguson was then inserted into the game and promptly retired the next three batters in order.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, sophomore third baseman Britany Crine reached base with a double. Winkler then singled Crine to third base. Walter then ended things with a walk-off single, scoring Crine with the game-winning run.

Deatherage went the first six innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out six. With a pair of wins today, Ferguson now has a team-best 14 victories this season. The Ceres, Calif., native is now 14-8 and has not allowed an earned run in each of her last eight appearances.

Walter, Mayhorn and Amber Dragomir both finished with a pair of hits as Sacramento State pounded out nine hits during the contest. The Hornets stung Saint Mary’s pitching during the four-game series with 29 hits.

Sacramento State returns to action on Tuesday, April 13, as the team travels to 11th-ranked Stanford for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.