JONES’ THREE-RUN HOMER HIGHLIGHTS SOFTBALL’S SPLIT WITH BOISE STATE
3/30/2010
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman Erin Jones blasted a first inning three-run homer and Sacramento State never trailed the rest of the way in the Hornets’ 7-5 win over Boise State in the second game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Shea Stadium. In the opener, the Broncos defeated the Hornets, 11-2, in a mercy rule shortened game.
The second-game victory snapped Boise State’s six-game winning streak and improved Sacramento State’s record to 10-23. The Broncos, who are in their second year as a softball program, are now 12-18 with the split.
Because of multiple injuries suffered over the last month, the Hornets used a lineup in the second game that consisted of nine underclassmen, including seven freshmen and three walkons. Despite the youth, the Hornets pounded out seven runs and 10 hits off a pair of Boise State pitchers. The team had at least one hit in every inning and the game marked the fifth time all season that Sacramento State had tallied at least 10 hits.
The doubleheader also concluded a month in which the Hornets played 14 home games. Sacramento State, which begins Pacific Coast Softball Conference play next weekend, has just four home dates remaining on the schedule including four-game series with Santa Clara (April 10-11) and Cal State Bakersfield (May 1-2).
In the nightcap of today’s doubleheader, the Hornets’ Nos. 1-4 hitters combined to go 7-for-13 with five runs and four RBIs. That included Jones, who went 2-for-3 with a run, double, home run and three RBIs. She increased her team-leading RBI total to 20, and her four home runs are tied for a team best (Alyssa Nakken also has four).
After Boise State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, Jones drove a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to score Kelli Frye and Alyssa Nakken, and give the Hornets a 3-0 lead. The Broncos tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the second on a Jessi Hanna two-run homer
With the score still tied at 3-3, the Hornets scored three times in a fourth frame that could have just as easily been a 1-2-3 inning. Amber Roszkos opened the inning by striking out, but reached first base safely when the ball bounced away from Boise State’s catcher. Bronco starter Ashley Collier retired the next two batters before an error on a hard hit ball from Alyssa Nakken allowed the first Hornet run of the inning to score. Kelli Frye followed with an infield single and Emily McCormick drove her home with an RBI-double. The Hornets scored their final run of the inning on a wild pitch that allowed Frye to score.
Sacramento State added to its lead (7-3) after Kelly Shepard’s sacrifice fly scored Jenice Bartee from third base in the fifth. Sacramento State starter Shelby Voelz survived a bit of a scare in the seventh inning when the Broncos cut the deficit to 7-5. However, with the potential tying run at the plate, Voelz got Tazz Weatherly to ground out and end the game.
Voelz (5-13) wasn’t sharp, but she picked up the win, allowing six hits and five runs (three earned) over seven innings. The sophomore threw 134 pitches. Collier (1-1) got the loss, allowing seven hits and six runs (three earned) in 3.2 innings.
Joining Jones with multiple-hit games for the Hornets were Nakken (2-for-4, two runs) and Frye (2-for-3, two runs).
In the opener, Boise State scored seven runs in the third inning and four more in the fourth to cruise to an easy win. In fact, the game was stopped after five innings because the Broncos had a lead big enough to spark the mercy rule. It marked the first time all season that Sacramento State had been mercy ruled.
The Broncos’ seven-run third inning saw 12 batters come to the plate, and the team had six straight hits at one point. All but one Boise State starter had at least one hit, and seven Bronco starters tallied at least one RBI.
Sacramento State got its only runs in the third inning when Emily McCormick’s single scored both Frye and Shepard.
Allie Crump (8-11) got the win for Boise State, allowing two hits and two unearned runs in five innings. Hornet starter Jacquelyn Serrano (2-5) went the distance in the loss.
Sacramento State does not return to action until the team travels to Berkeley on Wednesday, April 7, for a game at Cal. Game time is 3 p.m.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Freshman 
