SCHAEFER STRIKES OUT A CAREER-HIGH 12 BATTERS IN 5-2 SOFTBALL WIN OVER WEBER STATE

2/26/2011

Senior Megan Schaefer struck out a career-high 12 batters in today's win over Weber State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Senior Megan Schaefer threw a complete game while striking out a career-high 12 batters, and freshman Paige Martin had three hits and two RBIs to lead Sacramento State to a 5-2 victory over Weber State in the first round of the PCSC Crossover Tournament Saturday afternoon at Shea Stadium.

The Hornets (2-6 overall) conclude the two-day tournament tomorrow with a game against Idaho State at 8:30 a.m. Sacramento State was supposed to play four games over three days as part of tournament play, but Friday’s schedule was completely canceled because of rain. The game for Weber State marked the Wildcats’ first of the season.

In today’s victory, Schaefer allowed just four hits and two unearned runs while walking one and striking out 12 over seven innings. She faced just six batters over the minimum, and needed 120 pitches to pick up her second complete game of the season. The 12 strikeouts eclipsed her previous career high of nine, set against Utah State in 2009.

The Hornets trailed, 2-1, through five innings, but touched up Wildcat reliever Kelsie Vallies for four runs in the sixth to break open what had been a close game. During the inning, the Hornets sent nine batters to the plate while pounding out four runs and four hits.

An RBI-single from junior Alyssa Nakken tied the score at 2-2, and the big blow came from sophomore Emily McCormick whose single drove home both Nakken and sophomore Kelli Frye to give Sacramento State a 4-2 lead. The Hornets tacked on one more run on a Martin RBI-single that scored freshman Shannon Kaufman.

Martin (3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs) and McCormick (2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs) accounted for five of the Hornets’ eight hits.

Schaefer (1-2) earned her first win of the season, while Vallies (0-1) took the loss, allowing three hits and four runs over 0.2 innings. Sarah Clark started the game for Weber State, and allowed five hits and one run over 5.1 innings.

For results from every game of the tournament thus far, click on the tournament home page here.