SERRANO’S ONE-HIT SHUTOUT HIGHLIGHTS SOFTBALL’S SPLIT IN SECOND DAY OF THE CAPITAL CLASSIC

3/20/2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior right-hander Jacquelyn Serrano threw a one-hit shutout while allowing just two base runners to highlight Sacramento State’s 3-0 victory over Utah State in the second day of the Capital Classic Softball Tournament Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The Hornets fell to Iona, 5-0, in their first game of the day.

After two days of the Capital Classic, Iona, Nevada and Colorado State are each 2-1, Utah State is 0-3 and Sacramento State concludes the tournament with a 2-2 record. Each team plays four games at the tournament, and the Hornets, who played twice yesterday and twice today, are finished with tournament play. The other four tournament teams conclude play tomorrow when Iona and Nevada play at 9 a.m., and Utah State and Colorado State play at 11 a.m.

Both of Sacramento State’s victories during the tournament came against Utah State, including a 10-2 win over the Aggies yesterday. Depending on how games shake out tomorrow, either Iona, Nevada or Colorado State could each win the Capital Classic championship.

In the win over Utah State, Serrano (1-3) was dominant, throwing just 87 pitches while facing two batters over the minimum. She did not allow a runner past second base, and retired the side in order in the first, third, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. Today marked her first career shutout, and she didn’t allow a hit in the game until the fifth inning.

Freshman Erin Jones drove in all three runs during the victory, and each of her RBIs came with two outs in an inning. That included a two-run single in the third inning, and an RBI-single in the fifth. Jones, who has been clutch for the Hornets all season, improved her numbers to .364 (8-22) with runners in scoring position and .391 (9-23) with two outs in an inning. In fact, a team-leading 11 of Jones’ 17 RBIs this season have now come with two outs in an inning.

Sacramento State finished the game with just five hits, and Jones (2-for-3 with three RBIs) and freshman Molly Smith (2-for-3) combined for four of those hits. Walkon freshman Lauren Blair replaced an injured Jessica Abelia at shortstop in the second inning, and made some nifty plays at the position, finishing with four putouts and three assists. Abelia was hit in the hand by a pitch in the first inning and had to be taken out of the game.

Utah State’s Kate Greenough (4-6) got the loss, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over six innings.

In the Hornets’ first game of the day, Iona starter Sarah Jackson tossed a five-hit shutout. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one walk while striking out five. Jackson (3-3) retired the first nine batters she faced, and escaped Hornet rallies in the fifth and seventh innings. Sacramento State loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, but could not score.

Iona received a two-out, three-run homer from Eileen McCann in the first inning to grab an early three-run lead. The Gaels added a run of insurance in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Iona outhit Sacramento State, 6-5, but made the most of its scoring opportunities. Four of the Hornets’ first six batters of the lineup had at least one hit, including Alyssa Nakken who finished 2-for-3.

Sacramento State starter Shelby Voelz (4-11) threw 134 pitches while taking the loss. Voelz, who went to a three-ball count on 10 different batters, allowed six hits and five runs while walking five and striking out five over seven innings.

The Hornets were playing their fourth and fifth home games over a three-day span, and finished with a 2-3 record during that spurt. Sacramento State returns to action next week when the team competes at the Aggie Stampede (March 26-28) in Davis, Calif. The Hornets will play four games over three days, beginning on Friday with games against host UC Davis (10 a.m.) and Cal (12:15 p.m.).