The Sacramento State women’s softball team concluded its annual Capital Classic tournament with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Big Green of Dartmouth University.

With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning and a runner on second base, left fielder Izmena Cabrera came to the plate.

Cabrera smacked the ball into the outfield allowing pinch runner Jacquelyn Serrano to score the game-winning run.

“I (have) to get her in – that’s all I was thinking,” Cabrera said.

Sac State started the game strong in all aspects of the game. The Hornets scored in each of the first three innings of the game, the biggest run came off the bat of catcher Jamie Schloredt.

In the bottom of the third inning Schloredt extended Sacramento State’s lead to 3-0 when she zipped the ball past the diving infielder, which allowed third baseman Rachel Miles to score.

“(Hillary Barker) happened to give me a good strike early on in the count a couple times so I took advantage of it,” Schloredt said.

Pitcher Megan Schaefer had a respectable day on the mound before getting pulled at the start of the sixth inning and thus the no decision.

When Schaefer left the game Sac State was ahead 4-1. The Hornets imploded in the sixth inning.

With a runner on second base Dartmouth had back-to-back doubles to the outfield from third baseman Ashley Gleason and catcher Leigha Clarkson to cut Sacramento State’s lead to 3-2.

An error in the outfield allowed Clarkson to score and right fielder Audrey Kolodziej advanced to second base.

Brittani Clifford gained her composure and struck out three of the final five batters she faced for the win.

Clifford threw two innings, had three strikeouts and had one earned run to improve her record to 3-6.

Coach Kathy Strahan thought hitting, hitting and more hitting was the key to today’s game.

Strahan’s seniors led the team to victory. Schloredt had a great game. She went two of three, scored two runs and had three runs batted in.

“I have been struggling a little bit so I was just trying to stay relaxed and take what I could,” Schloredt said.

Cabrera had a monster game as well. She went three of four, had two runs batted in and scored one run.

Miles finished up a fabulous week by going two of three with two runs.

Sacramento State (11-17) hosts Berkeley (22-6) Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Andrew Hazard can be reached at [email protected]