Sophomore Amber Dragomir |
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- Christen Bedwell and Sondra Milchiker each recorded two hits to lead Cal State Northridge to a 5-2 victory over Sacramento State in a Big West Conference game Sunday afternoon at Matador Diamond. The victory allowed Cal State Northridge to win the three-game series as the two teams spilt a doubleheader yesterday.Cal State Northridge, which improved to 21-17 overall and 6-6 in the Big West, pounded out five runs and nine hits, including a decisive four-run fourth inning. Sacramento State, which dropped to 13-20 and 2-6 in the conference, also recorded nine hits, but left 10 runners on base.
Amber Dragomir, Erin Coyne and Alison Norman each had two hits for the Hornets as the team notched at least one hit in all but two innings. Dragomir combined to hit .667 (6-9) and Norman .556 (5-9) over the three-game series.
Sacramento State opened the scoring in the top of the first on an RBI-double by Coyne. The Hornets had a chance to score more, but Matador starter Summer Richardson got both Norman and Cathy Coupar to strike out with runners at second and third. Cal State Northridge answered with a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI-single by Janine Grund.
The Matadors broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth. Milchiker started things off with a double and Grund moved her to third. Sara Summers followed with a squeeze bunt plating Milchiker to give the Matadors a 2-1 lead. After Jenny Wheeler singled Summers to second base, Gina Steenburgen entered the game at pitcher for starter Jillian Bivert.
Steenburgen''s first batter, Lacey Hebert, sacrificed Wheeler and Summers to second and third, respectively. Jade Abel followed with a single that scored two as an error by Hornet center fielder Cathy Coupar allowed Wheeler to score from second base. Consecutive singles by Katie Kearns and Bedwell allowed Abel to score, giving the Matadors a 5-1 lead. In all, the Matadors scored collected four runs and six hits in the inning.
The Hornets rallied in the seventh as an RBI-single by Norman made the score, 5-2. Sacramento State then loaded the bases with two outs before Coupar grounded out to third base to end the game.
Wheeler (10-2) picked up the win in relief, allowing one run and five hits in four innings. A total of three Hornet pitchers appeared in the game as Bivert (5-11) got the loss after allowing four runs and five hits in 3.1 innings. Sophomore Nicole Deatherage threw the final 2.1 innings of the contest, giving up just one hit.
Sacramento State, which has now lost six of its last nine games, returns to action next weekend as it hosts a three-game series against Utah State. The Hornets and Aggies play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13, and a single game on Sunday, April 14. Starting times for both days are at noon.
