SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State combined for 16 runs and 16 hits in two games while limiting Saint Mary’s to no runs and seven hits as the Hornets swept the Gaels in a Pacific Coast Softball Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The Hornets, who swept the four-game series, won both games by the score of 8-0 as the eight-run mercy rule ended the first game in the sixth inning and the second game in the fifth inning.With the victories, Sacramento State improved its conference winning streak to seven games while improving to 25-19 overall and 8-4 in the PCSC. The Hornets completed their first four-game sweep of the season and their second over Saint Mary''s in the last three years. The Hornets moved into sole possession of second place in the conference standings, two games behind first-place Loyola Marymount (10-2) with eight conference contests remaining. San Diego and Portland State are tied for third in the standings with 7-5 records. The PCSC champion earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals which begins on May 20.
In the opener, Sacramento State scored three runs in both the first and fourth innings, and two more in the sixth to enforce the eight-run mercy rule. Senior Lesley Mayhorn, who finished the game 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBIs, struck the big blow in the fourth inning with a three-run homer which put the game out of reach. The home run was the second of the season for Mayhorn who is now batting .316 against conference competition this season.
Senior right-hander Brianne Ferguson (13-9) picked up the win, allowing just four hits while striking out four in five innings of work. Sophomore Jennifer Fryou entered the game in relief in the sixth inning, and promptly struck out the side.
The Hornets batted around in the first inning as all nine batters came to the plate. The first five batters of the inning reached base safely, comprised of Hilary Johnson (hit-by-pitch), Mayhorn (single), Lindy Winkler (single), Erin Coyne (walk) and Gloria Toledo (single). All three runs scored on the same play early in the inning. With runners at first and second, Winkler singled to center, but Saint Mary''s outfielder Lauren Mello misplayed the ball and let it roll to the wall. Both Mayhorn and Johnson scored easily from first and second, respectively, and Winkler circled all the way around bases sliding in safely at home.
Two Saint Mary''s errors in the sixth inning allowed Ferguson and Mayhorn to score as the Hornets finished the game with seven hits. Saint Mary''s starter Megan Galloway (4-15) picked up the loss, allowing six runs and six hits in five innings.
In the second game, Sacramento State scored four runs in the first inning, one in the third and three more in the fourth. Junior Nikki Cinque (12-7) dominated throughout the game, allowing just two hits while striking out two batters in four innings. Fryou pitched a perfect fifth inning to seal the victory.
Five different Hornets had at least one RBI, including Cinque who finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and a game-high two RBIs. Toledo finished 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs and an RBI, and Winkler went 2-for-3 with two runs. Scoring highlights for Sacramento State included a two-run single from Cinque in the first inning, and RBI-singles from Toledo and Britany Crine in the fourth inning. Coyne and Danielle Ackland also had RBIs for a Hornet offense which pounded out eight runs and nine hits over five innings.
Saint Mary’s Chelsea Loftis (1-3) took the loss, allowing five runs (two earned) and five hits over three innings. Sacramento State’s Katie Rhoe picked up her first collegiate hit on an infield single in the fifth inning.
Top players for the Hornets during the four-game series sweep included Winkler (.500; 6-for-12 with four runs and an RBI), Johnson (.385; 5-for-13 with five runs, two stolen bases and an RBI), Amy Hillel (.375; 3-for-8 with a double and two RBIs), Toledo (.357; 5-for-14 with two triples and two RBIs), Coyne (.333; 3-for-9 with two doubles and an RBI) and Mayhorn (.308; 4-for-13 with three runs, one double, one home run and three RBIs). The Sacramento State pitching staff recorded a 0.84 ERA during the series, including Ferguson posting a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and Cinque going 2-0 with a 1.91 ERA.
Sacramento State concludes its season-long 12-game homestand on Wednesday, April 20, for a doubleheader against ninth-ranked Stanford at 2 p.m. The Hornets then jump back into conference play with a four-game series next weekend at Portland State.
