The Hornets used a 10-run second inning to defeat the Gaels, 15-0, in five innings in the first game. In the second game, Sacramento State withstood a seventh-inning Saint Mary’s rally to win, 3-2.

With the victories, Sacramento State improved its record to 29-20 overall and 8-6 in the PCSC. The Hornets are now just a half game back of second-place San Diego (8-5) in the PCSC standings. Portland State, which beat San Diego today in the first game of their doubleheader before game two was postponed, remains in first place with a 9-1 record. The Hornets will host the Vikings in Sacramento next weekend for a four-game series.

With the losses, Saint Mary’s dropped to 5-43 and 1-13 in the conference. Since joining the Div. I ranks in 1990, the Hornets are now 41-2 against Saint Mary’s.

In today’s opener, Cervantes earned her second collegiate no-hitter (the other coming against Utah State on March 19) after walking three and striking out 10 over five innings. The game ended after five innings because the Hornets had already scored 15 runs, enforcing the eight-run mercy rule.

Cervantes struck out at least two Saint Mary’s batters in every inning but the second, including striking out the side in the fourth. The right-hander did not allow a Saint Mary’s runner past first base and faced just three batters over the minimum. With the win, Cervantes improved her record to a team-best 12-4, and has now won each of her last seven decisions.

The Hornets already led, 14-0, after the second inning having scored four times in the first and 10 times in the second. Eight different Hornets had at least one RBI, including Britany Crine and Lindy Winkler who each had three. In fact, Winkler finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs, two doubles and three RBIs.

Other Hornets to have RBIs in the game were Jamie Schloredt (2-for-3 with three runs, one walk and two RBIs), Gloria Toledo (1-for-3 with two runs, a walk and an RBI), Amy Tompkins (2-for-4 with a run and an RBI), Whitney Loomis (one RBI), Amy Jo McKenzie (one double and one RBI) and Nikki Cinque (2-for-3 with two runs, a double and an RBI).

All but one Hornet starter reached base safely via hit and/or walk. Sacramento State’s 15 runs were one shy of the season high (16 against Miami at the Capital Classic) and marked the fourth time this year the team has tallied double figures in runs.

Winkler’s two doubles gave her 16 this season, strengthening her record for the most doubles in Sacramento State Div. I single-season history. The previous mark for doubles had been 12.

In the nightcap, Cinque threw seven strong innings and homered for the sixth time this season. McKenzie added her third home run of the year, and the Hornets swept their first conference doubleheader of the season.

The Hornets tallied single runs in the second (Cinque solo homer to lead off the inning), fifth (walk to Schloredt with the bases loaded) and sixth innings (McKenzie solo homer to center field).

McKenzie’s home run in the sixth proved to be the game winner as Saint Mary’s came back with two runs in the seventh inning. After closing to within, 3-2, the Gaels had the bases loaded and two outs before Cinque got Chelsea Loftis to pop out and end the game.

Cinque (12-10) got the win, striking out a career-high 10 batters while allowing just five hits and two runs (one earned) in seven innings of work. Cinque’s sixth home run tied her for the team lead in home runs with Schloredt. Sacramento State has now pounded 27 home runs this season after never hitting more than 16 in a season since joining the Div. I ranks.

With two more walks during the doubleheader, Schloredt now has 27 free passes this season, tying the Hornet Div. I single-season record, a mark set in 1991 by Toni Heisler. Despite being just a freshman, Schloredt is now batting .336 with a .472 on-base percentage and a .560 slugging percentage.

Sacramento State and Saint Mary’s conclude their four-game series with another doubleheader tomorrow at noon. The Hornets have just six games remaining on the regular-season schedule.