In the first game, Forbes allowed only three runners to reach base as junior Lindy Winkler was the only Hornet to record a base hit, a seeing-eyed single to right field in the third inning. No Hornet runners were able to reach second base throughout the game.

The Spartans claimed the only run of the game in the sixth as Lindsey Allen reached first base on a fielding error. Jana Arde then ripped a triple two pitches later to right field, scoring Allen.

Senior Brianne Ferguson (6-3) took the loss for the Hornets after yielding only five hits. Sacramento State had won five-straight against the Spartans, dating back to the 2003 season.

In the nightcap, the Spartans got on the board in the first inning as Elisa Barrios singled to left with two outs. Carlie Hill then smacked a double to center off Hornet junior Nikki Cinque, scoring Barrios. The earned run given up by Cinque was the first in 42.2 innings as the Sacramento City College transfer had not given up an earned run since her first appearance of the year.

In the bottom of the first, the Hornets got on the board after freshman Hilary Johnson singled off Spartan starter Courtney Lewis. After a Lesley Mayhorn sacrifice bunt, Winkler then singled to center, advancing Johnson to third. Senior Amy Hillel then hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Johnson. Freshman Teri Ann Caoagan then sigled to left center, scoring Winkler to give the Hornets an early 2-1 lead.

San Jose State tied the game in third after Lewis, who singled to center and then stole second, scored after Barrios hit a shot to right field. The Spartans then went on top 3-2 in the fourth after Allen doubled to start the inning. Shannon Anderson then came in as a pinch runner for Allen. Arde sacraficed herself, allowing Anderson to reach third. Pinch hitter Kristy Ballinger then singled up the middle, scoring Anderson.

The Spartans brought in Forbes to pitch in the bottom of the fourth and mowed down Hornet hitters until the seventh.

In the bottom of the inning, freshman Amy Tompkins led off with a single to center. Johnson then singled on a bunt hit after Forbes came up with the ball, but had no chance to throw out either runner. Tompkins advanced to third on Winkler’s fielder’s choice, however, Johnson was out at second on the force. Hillel then hit a weak ground ball back to Forbes, who tried to throw out Hillel, but it was not fast enough, scoring Tompkins to tie the game.

After neither team was able to score in the eighth, the Spartans got one run in the ninth when Cinque threw a bases loaded wild pitch allowing pinch runner Danielle Eakins to score from third.

Sacramento State was unable to match San Jose State in the bottom of the ninth when Rojo, who was placed at second to start the inning, was stranded at third base with only one out when Johnson grounded out to the pitcher and Mayhorn hit a weak fly ball to center to end the game.

Cinque was tabbed with the loss and falls to 5-2 on the year. With three of the four runs earned, her ERA is now at 1.07 on the season.

Sacramento State is now 7-4 on the year in one-run ballgames.

The Hornets return to action on Friday, March 11, at the National Invitational Softball Tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif., hosted by SJSU. Sacramento State’s first opponent will be Colorado State at 5 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., the team will take on Northern Iowa with bracket play scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 12.