The Sacramento State softball team competed in the three-day, five-game Stanford Nike Invitational Tournament, Feb. 19-21.

Sac State finished the three day tournament with one win and three losses. The team’s fifth game versus Fresno State was cancelled due to poor weather and will not be rescheduled. The lone win came against UC Riverside where the Hornets shutout out the Highlanders 2-0.

Hornet pitcher Shelby Voelz had a perfect game going into the bottom of the sixth inning when she gave up a lead off walk to Highlander second basemen Taylor Thomas.

Thomas would reach second base on a sacrifice bunt by teammate Brooke Hebenton. Voelz would then retire the next two batters to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Voelz retired the lead off batter with a line drive out to first. The designated player, Brittany Keeney came up next for the Highlanders. Keeney drew a one ball count from Voelz, when she took the next pitch to right field for a double. Voelz would not allow another runner to reach safely and retired the next two batters she faced.

Voelz would earn win with the one hitter. She also struck out four in her seven innings of work. Highlander starting pitcher Marissa Alvidrez would earn the complete game loss.

The Hornets struck first in the top half of the fourth inning, when Desiree Beltran singled to center field allowing fellow teammate Jessica Abelia to score from third base. That would be the only run the Hornets would get until the seventh inning.

In the seventh inning, Alyssa Nakken reached base with one out on an infield single to second. She advanced to second on an Abelia ground out to short. Erin Jones took a two ball and one strike offering to left field for a single, allowing Nakken to score from second base. The inning would end on a Molly Smith strikeout.

Sac State’s numbers were strong over the three days, despite losing three of four. Hornet pitcher Voelz finished the tournament with a 0.54 ERA. She gave up just one run on four hits, striking out eight in thirteen innings. Batters were limited at a .095 batting average.??Three other Hornets had notable numbers over the three days of competition. Jones batted .600 (6-for-10) with a run, double and three RBIs. Beltran hit .417 (5-for-12) with a double and two RBIs. And Nakken hit .308 (4-for-13) with two doubles and a team high of four runs scored.

Sac State will be in action again Wednesday at Shea Stadium versus the University of Nevada in a two game set.

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]