The Hornets (2-4), who had their first game of the tournament against Birmingham Southern cancelled earlier in the day because of rain, did not begin the game against Drake until 8 p.m. because of weather conditions that pushed the tournament schedule back.

Cinque (2-2) was dominant in relief, allowing just four hits while striking out four in 6.2 innings of work. After freshman Cassie Cervantes walked the first four Drake batters of the game, Cinque was inserted into the game with the bases loaded and one out (Hornet catcher Jamie Schloredt threw out a runner attempting to steal for the first out). Cinque allowed just one of the inherited runs to score and Sacramento State found itself down just, 1-0, after an inning when the score could have been much worse. The right-hander allowed just one runner past second base during her six-plus innings and retired the final eight Drake batters in order to end the game.

The Hornets immediately took control in the second inning with three runs on an RBI-double from freshman Whitney Loomis, a sacrifice fly from junior Ashley Dawson and an RBI-single from sophomore Amy Tompkins.

Sacramento State tacked on one more run in both the fourth and fifth innings on a Danielle Ackland RBI-single and Schloredt scoring on a Drake error, respectively.

Six of Sacramento State’s nine starters had a hit as the Hornets’ five runs were a season high and the team’s seven hits were one shy of a season high. Loomis and Ackland each received their first starts of the season and each responded with a run, a hit and an RBI.

Drake dropped to 1-2 with the loss and starter Cassie Heller fell to 0-1 after allowing four runs and five hits in three innings.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday, Feb. 18, as the team takes on Santa Clara (11:30 a.m.) and Birmingham Southern (5:30 p.m.) in the second day of the tournament.