SOFTBALL LETS THREE-RUN, SEVENTH INNING LEAD SLIP AWAY IN LOSS TO COLORADO STATE
3/18/2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento State let a three-run lead in the seventh inning slip away as Colorado State scored five times in an 8-6 victory over the Hornets in a non-conference softball game Thursday afternoon at a windy Shea Stadium.
Sacramento State took a 6-3 lead into the top of the seventh inning and things looked good after Hornet starter Shelby Voelz struck out the first batter she faced. However, Voelz then walked Caitlan Stem on four pitches, and the momentum began to shift. With Stem on second base after a wild pitch, Jenna Krogh hit a come-backer to Voelz who threw to first for what would have been the second out. But first baseman Alyssa Nakken dropped the throw putting runners at first and third, and still just one out.
Christine Thomsen followed by hitting catchable ball to center field that was misplayed into a single, and the Rams cut the lead to 6-4 when Stem crossed home plate. Rebecca Penland grounded out to second base for the second out, but the runners advanced to second and third on the play. Down to their final out, Allison Majam then doubled down the left field line to tie the score. An Ashley Munoz walk and a Robyn Mask two-run double followed to put Colorado State up, 8-6. Four of Colorado State’s five runs in the inning were unearned.
The Hornets got the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but Colorado State starter Kellie Eubanks recorded her first strikeout of the game to get the third and final out.
Colorado State won its sixth straight game while improving to 18-8 overall. Sacramento State, which was playing the first of five home games over a three-day span, dropped to 6-17.
Sacramento State outhit Colorado State, 11-8, including multiple-hit games from Kelli Frye (2-for-4, 1 run), Jessica Abelia (2-for-4, 1 run), Erin Jones (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Marissa Navarro (2-for-4, 2 RBIs). All but two Hornet starters had at least one hit as Sacramento State scored twice in the second inning, three times in the third and once more in the sixth. A two-out, RBI-single from Jones in the bottom of the sixth gave the Hornets what looked like a comfortable three-run cushion.
Eubanks (14-5) got the win for Colorado State, allowing 11 hits and six runs (four earned) over seven innings. Voelz (3-10) took the loss, allowing eight hits and eight runs (four earned) over seven innings.
Sacramento State will look to regroup as the team hosts the 18th-annual Capital Classic this Friday through Sunday. The Hornets will play a pair of games on both Friday and Saturday, including tomorrow’s games against Utah State (1 p.m.) and Colorado State (3 p.m.). Five teams (Colorado State, Iona, Nevada, Sacramento State and Utah State) will play a total of 10 games over three days at the tournament. For more information on the tournament, click here.
