SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Senior pitcher Brianne Ferguson pitched a two-hit shutout and helped her own cause by driving in two runs to lead Sacramento State to a 4-0 victory over Arkansas in the first round of the Mustang Roundup Friday morning at Bob Janssen Field.The game marked the first of the season for both teams as Sacramento State returns to action later today to face Colorado State in the second round (11:30 a.m.) of the tournament. The Hornets, who have increased their win total each of the last four years, won their season opener for the first time since 2001.
Ferguson, who was a first team all-Pacific Coast Softball Conference selection last year, walked only one batter while striking out six as she faced just four batters over the minimum. The right-hander allowed just one runner to advance past second base during the game and did not allow an extra base hit. In fact, Ferguson did not allow a hit after the third inning.
Sacramento State got on the board in the fourth inning when Ferguson’s squeeze bunt scored pinch runner Katie Rhoe and a throwing error from Arkansas pitcher Valanna Lyons allowed pinch runner Hilary Johnson to score all the way from second base.
The Hornets got two insurance runs in the sixth on a Ferguson RBI-single scoring freshman Teri Ann Caoagan and a Cal Poly error allowing pinch runner Gaby Barragan to score.
Sacramento State received hits from Nikki Cinque, Caoagan, Ferguson, Amy Tompkins and Amy Hillel. The hits for Caoagan and Tompkins were the first of their Hornet careers.
After playing Colorado State later today, the Hornets will also face Nevada and host Cal Poly on Saturday, Feb. 5, and Cal Poly again on Sunday, Feb. 6 as part of the three-day, five-game tournament.
