Senior Gina Steenburgen picked up her first win of the season |
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The Sacramento State softball team completed the Cal Poly Mustang Roundup with a 4-1 record after defeating Nevada, 2-1, in the third and final day of the tournament Sunday afternoon at Bob Janssen Field.The Hornets, who also defeated San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and Colorado State in the tournament, improved their overall record to 4-3 this season. Sacramento State''s only blemish in the tournament was a nine-inning loss to host Cal Poly. The Hornets'' pitching staff combined for a 1.35 ERA and allowed opponents just a .235 batting average over the five games.
Against Nevada, Sacramento State posted single runs in both the first and second innings, and pitchers Gina Steenburgen and Brianne Ferguson held onto the lead. Sophomore Erin Coyne singled home freshman Lindy Winkler for the Hornets'' first run of the game. The team added another run in the second on a sacrifice fly by senior Jillian Bivert which scored sophomore Lesley Mayhorn.
Nevada (3-2) scored its only run in the fifth inning on an RBI-double from Carrie Mackey. The Wold Pack had an opportunity to score later in the inning but Winkler threw out pinch runner Amy Sceirine at the plate after a single by Cindy Elkins. Winkler has now thrown out a runner at the plate in two of the last three games (both Hornet wins).
Winkler also led the Hornet offensive attack with two hits and a run scored. The freshman from San Andreas, Calif., has now hit safely in all seven games this season and leads the team with a .462 batting average. All but two Sacramento State starters had at least one hit as the Hornets pounded out eight hits. Juniors Stephanie Lockhart and Amy Walter both extended their hitting streaks to three games with a hit.
Steenburgen (1-0) picked up her first win of the season, allowing one run and four hits in 4.1 innings of work. Ferguson recorded her first save of the season after giving up just two hits and striking out three over the final 2.2 innings.
With another RBI in today''s game, Bivert now has six RBIs over her last four games. Lockhart successfully stole two bases while Walter stole another as the Hornets have now been successful on 6-of-7 stolen base attempts this season.
The Hornets return to action next weekend as they take part in the Campbell/Cartier Softball Tournament in Poway, Calif. Sacramento State will face both Kansas and New Mexico on Friday, Feb. 14, before taking on Central Florida and UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Hornets wrap up the three-day, six-game tournament on Sunday, Feb. 16, against Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge.
