NAVARRO’S GRAND SLAM HIGHLIGHTS SOFTBALL SPLIT WITH NORTHERN ILLINOIS
3/17/2011
Junior Marissa Navarro hit her team-high third home run of the season, a grand slam, in the second game
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Junior Marissa Navarro’s grand slam highlighted a nine-run fourth inning that propelled Sacramento State to an 11-3 mercy-rule shortened victory over Northern Illinois in the second game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Thursday afternoon at Shea Stadium. The Huskies won the first game in six innings by an 8-0 score.
With the split, the Hornets moved their record to 7-11 while Northern Illinois is now 9-10. The Hornets have won six of their last 11 games after beginning the season with a 1-6 record. Today’s doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played yesterday, but the games were pushed back a day because of inclement weather. Today also marked the first games of a stretch that will see Sacramento State play seven home contests over an eight-day span. Weather permitting, the Hornets will host the Capital Classic this Friday through Sunday, with Sacramento State playing its first game tomorrow against Santa Clara at 12:15 p.m.
In today’s nightcap, the Hornets erased a 3-2 deficit with a nine-run fourth inning that saw the team send 13 batters to the plate against NIU starter Morgan Bittner. At one point during the inning, the Hornets sent nine consecutive batters to the plate without an out being recorded.
The nine runs came via sacrifice squeeze bunt by Kelly Shepard, an RBI-single from Kelli Frye, an error allowing Shepard to score from third base, RBI-singles from Devin Caldwell and Megan Schaefer, and Navarro’s blast, respectively. The nine runs marked the Hornets’ highest scoring inning of the season.
By the time the game finished, the Hornets had matched or set season highs in runs (11), hits (10) and RBIs (10). All but two Hornet starters had at least one hit in the game, including Navarro who finished with 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs and four RBIs. Freshman Paige Martin, who had a two-run single in the second inning, went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs, and Alcala went 2-for-2.
Megan Schaefer (3-3) got the win for the Hornets, allowing three runs (one earned) and six hits in five innings. Bittner (4-6) took the loss after allowing all 11 runs (10 earned) in 4.0 innings.
In the opener, Northern Illinois combined for eight runs and 13 hits off Sacramento State pitchers Taylor Stroud and Jacquelyn Serrano. The Huskies scored single runs in the second and third innings, two more in the fourth, and four in the sixth inning. Meanwhile, the Hornet offense generated just three hits off Northern Illinois pitchers Whitney Owens (5.0 innings, two hits) and Nicole Gremillion (1.0 inning, one hit).
Stroud, who had been dominant in her first nine appearances of the season, allowed season highs in hits (8) and runs (4) while tossing 5.0 innings. It marked the first time all season the true freshman did not throw a complete game in one of her starts, and the three doubles allowed marked the first time she had given up more than one extra base hit in any of her appearances. Stroud (4-4) picked up the loss, while Serrano threw the final inning. Schaefer had two of the Hornets’ three hits.
Seven different Northern Illinois players had RBIs in the game, including Adriana Sanchez who went 3-for-3. Owens (4-3) got the win after going five innings.
Sacramento State sophomore Emily McCormick, who is batting .314 with team highs in doubles (5) and RBIs (10), missed today’s games with injury.
For complete information on this week’s Capital Classic, click here.
