JOHNSON AND SCHLOREDT BREAK SCHOOL RECORDS IN SOFTBALL’S SPLIT WITH SAN JOSE STATE

2/12/2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Jamie Schloredt clubbed a triple and a home run with two RBIs to lead Sacramento State to a 5-2 victory in the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader with San Jose State Tuesday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The Spartans, however, won the second game by mounting an improbable comeback that included six runs in the seventh inning to win, 6-5.

The doubleheader marked the season opener for the Hornets.

Highlighting the day were the performance of two Hornet players who set Div. I (1990-pres.) school career records. Despite beginning just her junior season, catcher Schloredt clubbed two home runs today (one in the first game, one in the second) and now has 15 homers for her career, surpassing the mark of 13 she shared with Jill Haas (1995-98). In addition, senior Hilary Johnson swiped second base in the first game, giving her 33 stolen bases for her career, surpassing the mark of 32 she shared with Lindy Winkler (2003-06).

Schloredt reached base safely in all seven at-bats in the doubleheader, finishing 3-for-3 with four walks, two home runs, a triple, three RBIs and a 3.667 slugging percentage.

Taking some of the luster from the first-game victory, San Jose State scored six runs in the seventh inning of the second game, five of which came with two outs. In fact, after two outs had been recorded, the Spartans pounded out four straight hits off Hornet freshman starter Megan Schaefer, who had posted six shutout innings heading into the seventh.

With the split, Sacramento State is 1-1 while San Jose State moved its record to 2-4.

“I’m proud of the team, they were outstanding offensively and defensively today,” Sacramento State head coach Kathy Strahan said. “In that second game, Megan threw well but San Jose State made the proper adjustments and got to her in the seventh inning. Despite the loss, we have to remember she is just a freshman and has a very promising collegiate career ahead of her.”

In the first game, the Hornets scored twice in the first, once in both the second and third innings, and once more in the fifth. Sacramento State struck for five runs and 10 hits, including Schloredt going 2-for-2 with a walk, a triple, home run and two RBIs. Junior Izmena Cabrera and Johnson both had two hits and an RBI, and Kayla Meeks added a sacrifice fly.

The Hornets scored their first-inning runs on an RBI-triple from Schloredt and an RBI-double from Cabrera. The team tacked on another in the second after Johnson singled home Sherry Clark, and Schloredt hit a solo home run in the fourth. Sacramento State scored its final run in the fifth after Meeks’ sacrifice fly drove home Amy Tompkins.

Meeks (1-0) went the distance to get the win, scattering 11 hits while allowing two runs over seven innings. San Jose State left 11 runners on base as Meeks stranded runners in scoring position in the first, second, third, fourth and sixth innings. In fact, the junior right-hander threw 131 pitches, but continued to work her way out of jams to pick up the win.

San Jose State’s Roxanne Bejarano (0-1) got the loss, allowing five runs (all earned) and 10 hits over 6.0 innings. The Spartans scored their only runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Sarah Taylor.

In the second game, the Hornets scored three times in the first inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Whitney Loomis (two-run shot) and Schloredt (solo blast). Schloredt’s home run easily cleared the scoreboard that sits high above the left-center field wall. Aided by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Melissa Cross, the Hornets added two more runs in the sixth to take what seemed like an insurmountable 5-0 lead.

However, San Jose State had six runs and six hits in the seventh inning. Schaefer got the first batter of the inning (Kelli Fangonilo) to ground out harmlessly. However, seven of the next eight Spartan hitters reached base safely. With runners at second and third, and the Hornets still clinging to a 5-4 lead, the Spartans’ Elizabeth Perez singled to center field immediately scoring Nicole Wells from third base. The ball took a difficult hop off Hornet center fielder Johnson’s body allowing Sarah Taylor to score from second base with what proved to be the game-winning run.

The Hornets mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners at first and second base with two outs, but SJSU starter Deanna Mauer got Clark to line out sharply to third base and end the threat.

Mauer (2-2) got the win, allowing eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 7.0 innings. Schaefer (0-1) picked up the loss, allowing 10 hits and six runs (five earned) in 7.0 innings.

Sacramento State returns to action next Tuesday, Feb. 19, when the team hosts Nevada for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. After that doubleheader, the Hornets do not play at Shea Stadium again until March 19, a span of 21 consecutive games away from the home field.