SOFTBALL DROPS ANOTHER CLOSE GAME, THIS TIME TO UC DAVIS BY A 2-1 SCORE
2/23/2011
DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis took advantage of a huge Hornet error and scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning to defeat Sacramento State, 2-1, in a non-conference softball game Wednesday afternoon at La Rue Field.
Sacramento State dropped to 1-6 this season, and all six losses have come by three runs or less. UC Davis won its second straight game against the Hornets (a 3-1 win on Sunday in San Diego), and improved to 5-4 this year.
Sacramento State freshman Taylor Stroud was dominant yet again, allowing just four hits, no walks and three strikeouts over six innings. In fact, Stroud set down the final seven batters in a row, and threw just nine pitches during her final two innings of work. She faced just five batters over the minimum, didn’t allow an extra base hit, and 45 of her 58 pitches went for strikes.
Stroud, who was making her first start of the season, now has a miniscule 0.72 ERA in four appearances. Her record fell to 1-2 this season, but she could just as easily be 3-0 as a Hornet error also cost her a loss in the 11th inning against Fresno State earlier this season.
The Aggies did not push a runner past second base in any inning except for the fourth. In that fourth inning, with a runner at first base and two outs, UC Davis’ Kelly Harman hit a routine fly ball to left field that was dropped. That put runners at second and third, and Rachel Miller followed with a two-run single that proved to be the game-winning hit.
The Hornets threatened in the seventh inning, as sophomore Emily McCormick led off with a double. She eventually moved to third base on a wild pitch with one out. However, UC Davis starter Alex Holmes struck out back-to-back Sacramento State batters to end the game.
The Hornets took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when junior Alyssa Nakken’s double drove home freshman Paige Martin from first base.
Holmes (2-2) went the distance for the win, allowing just three hits and one run while walking one and striking out four over seven innings.
Sacramento State returns to action later this week when the team hosts the first-ever PCSC Crossover Tournament. The Hornets open tournament play on Friday against Portland State at 12:30 p.m. For tournament information, including ticket prices and schedule, click here.
DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis took advantage of a huge Hornet error and scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning to defeat Sacramento State, 2-1, in a non-conference softball game Wednesday afternoon at La Rue Field.
