The Sacramento State softball team has caught fire at just the right time, having won five straight, including the first four within its newly formed Pacific Coast Softball Conference.

The Hornets swept Saint Mary’s at Shea Stadium, four games to none, in both Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders. The Hornets also took one-of-two games against No. 13-ranked Stanford last Wednesday, bringing their record to 25-15 overall and 4-0 in the PCSC.

Sac State won the second game against the Gaels on Sunday, 10-0. The Hornets were led by senior Jillian Bivert’s 3-for-3 performance, which included a home run, a double and a career-high five RBI. Bivert, now with 27 RBI on the year, became the career RBI leader in Sac State Div. I program history with 85. Junior Nicole Deatherage pitched a one-hit shutout to get the win.

“(A 4-0 start) was right where we wanted to be opening up,” head coach Kathy Strahan said. “Every game is going to count in this conference. There are probably three or four schools in the conference that can win it. (The PCSC) will go right down to the wire.”

In the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, sophomore Brianne Ferguson threw a four-hit shutout over the Gaels, as the Hornets won 4-0. Amy Walter went 2-for-3, scoring a run, a double, a walk and an RBI.

“In the first two innings of the first Saint Mary’s game, we had some nervous excitement,” Strahan said. “But after they scored first, it rallied us and broke through some of the ice. After that, we unloaded and never looked back.”

On Saturday, Sac State starters Deatherage and Ferguson allowed just one run a piece, as the Hornets were victorious 6-1 and 2-1, respectively. Freshman Lindy Winkler totaled four hits and three runs through both games.

“The pitching was phenomenal,” Strahan said. “Between Ferguson and Deatherage, they both just stifled Saint Mary’s. I told them they would need to set the tone for the team in the circle, and if they did so, the team would respond.”

The upset against Stanford came by way of a two-out, three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull out a 6-5 victory in the second game of a doubleheader.

The rally began with back-to-back singles by freshmen Britany Crine and Whitnie Darvell. Winkler drove the runners home in her next at-bat with a triple and later scored off an RBI single by Walter.

Deatherage, after giving up a one-out, solo home run in the top of the seventh, retired the final two outs to get the win in seven innings of work.

The Hornets dropped the first game of the doubleheader against the Cardinal, 5-1.

“Stanford was a big win for our program,” Strahan said. “It was good to finally get one of these upsets that we’ve been trying for all year. It gave us a big bode of confidence.

“When we get the ball, there are very few teams in the country that can stay with us,” Strahan said. “I think in this conference, when we unload offensively, there isn’t anyone who can stay with us.”

The Hornets will play host to reigning national champion Cal today, for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. They then travel to play at Portland State for a four-game, conference series over the weekend.

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