SOFTBALL FAILS IN THE CLUTCH IN LOSSES TO #11 WASHINGTON AND CAL POLY
2/11/2007
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Sacramento State went a combined 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in a pair of 4-0 losses to 11th-ranked Washington and host Cal Poly in the third and final day of the Cal Poly Softball Invitational Sunday afternoon at Janssen Field.
The Hornets, who won their first two games of the tournament Friday before getting rained out on Saturday, dropped to 2-2 with the losses. The tournament served as the Hornets’ season opening games as the team returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at ninth-ranked Stanford for a single game at 2 p.m.
With the victories, Washington improved to 3-1 at the tournament, and Cal Poly improved to 2-1.
In the Hornets’ first game of the day, Washington’s Caitlin Noble tossed a seven-hit shutout with no walks and six strikeouts. Sacramento State had runners in scoring position in every inning but the second and seventh, but could not push a run across. The Hornets left seven runners on base during the game, and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Washington took advantage of Hornet starter Cassie Cervantes’ wildness as the sophomore issued four straight walks to begin the third inning. Cervantes was then pulled in favor of freshman Brittani Clifford who walked the first batter she faced to push another run across. A sacrifice fly later in the inning from Alicia Matthews capped the scoring as all three runs in the frame were credited to Cervantes. Washington tacked on an insurance run in the fifth after another Matthews sacrifice fly scored Ashlyn Watson.
Noble (1-1) picked up the win while Cervantes dropped to 0-1 with the loss. Clifford pitched well in relief, allowing just one run and five hits in five innings, but the Hornets could not get in the scoring column. Six different Hornets had at least one hit, including Jamie Schloredt going 2-for-2.
In the second game, Sacramento State starter Kayla Meeks and Cal Poly starter Jenna Maiden both put up zeros through the first four innings. However, the Mustangs broke through with four runs and five hits in the fifth to put the game away. The inning began with two bunt singles, and Krysten Cary had the big blow with a one out, three-run double. The Hornets had a runner in scoring position in the second, third and sixth innings, but could not score.
Maiden (1-0) got the win, allowing three hits and no walks in five innings. Helen Pena pitched two innings of scoreless relief. Meeks (1-1) got the loss, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings.
Four Hornets finished tournament play batting .400 or better, comprised of Amy Tompkins (.500, 5-for-10), Meeks (.500, 3-for-6), Schloredt (.462 (6-for-13, two home runs, three RBIs) and Rachel Miles (.417, 5-for-12). Sherry Clark led all Hornets with five RBIs.
After the Stanford game, the Hornets will take part in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic (Feb. 16-18). Sacramento State will take on Seton Hall and fourth-ranked Northwestern on Friday, second-ranked Tennessee and Southern Utah on Saturday, and Cal State Fullerton (who is receiving votes in the top 25) on Sunday.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Sacramento State went a combined 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in a pair of 4-0 losses to 11th-ranked Washington and host Cal Poly in the third and final day of the Cal Poly Softball Invitational Sunday afternoon at Janssen Field.
