Heading into the Mustang Classic this weekend, Hornets softball coach Kathy Strahan wanted players to gain some in-game experience.

Little did she know her plan would lead to a successful tournament record for the ladies in green and gold.

“It gave me the opportunity to get people out there ? I tried to get the pitching some experience,” Strahan said.

In the team’s opening-round game against the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers the Hornets exploded for 15 runs and 12 hits.

Junior Kayla Meeks picked up the win, allowing eight runs on eight hits. Meeks recorded 161 pitches thrown, 81 of which were thrown for strikes in her complete game outing.

Rachel Miles, the designated player for the game, led the Hornets with three RBIs going two for four at the plate. Centerfielder Hilary Johnson scored three runs in the game and added three hits.

The Hornets scored runs in every inning except the fourth and the seventh.

“I’m pleased with the offensive performance we had,” Strahan said.

Sacramento State played Pacific Coast Softball Conference-rival Santa Clara in the second game of the team’s opening day of the tournament.

Going into the game the Broncos had not posted a victory in their previous 11 games, and the Hornets would add to that streak as they would come away with an 8-5 victory.

Brittani Clifford relieved starting pitcher Megan Schaefer on her way to earning her first victory of the season.

Izmena Cabrera and Sherry Clark led the Hornets, combining to go three for five at the plate with five RBIs.

With the win over Santa Clara the Hornets managed a perfect 2-0 record for the first day of the three-day tournament.

“We were able to put together some good games pitching-wise throughout,” Strahan said.

The second day of the tournament meant facing off against Pac-10 conference team University of California-Berkley. Sac State was on a 17-game losing streak against the Cal Golden Bears.

Strahan used a unique pitching rotation in order to prevent Cal from continuing its dominance over the Hornets. Freshman pitcher Jacquelyn Serrano appeared in her first game as a Hornet, allowing only one hit over two innings of work, and got the win.

“She did a nice job and we started to put some runs together,” Strahan said.

Using three pitchers in the game allowed Strahan to carefully manage their performance and not give any one pitcher too much stress.

Entering the bottom half of the final inning the Hornets were up 8-3, but Cal refused to go away. Clifford gave up three runs to the Golden Bears in her time in the circle, but managed to shut the door earning her first career save.

The pitching was aided by home runs off the bats of Cabrera, Miles and Whitney Loomis

Tournament host Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was scheduled to play the Hornets later on in the second day, but inclement weather led to the cancellation of the game.

Due to the weather the scheduled games for the final day of the tournament were distorted, meaning the Hornets, who were supposed to play UAB again, now had the fortune of taking on Cal for a second time.

In the rematch Cal would avenge its previous loss to the Hornets by a final score of 9-1.

Again Strahan used her rotation technique against the Golden Bears, but this time Serrano would take it on the chin, giving up seven runs in less than one inning of work.

All seven runs given up by Serrano came on only one hit and only one of the runs was earned.

The Hornets finished the tournament with three wins and the lone loss to Cal. Cal Poly went undefeated in its own tournament to earn the tournament championship.

The Hornets return to action on Wednesday, traveling across the causeway to take on UC Davis in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

Jose Martinez can be reached at [email protected]