After an injury plagued 2012, Sacramento State sophomore outfielder Paige Martin has taken advantage of this season to really showcase her talents.

The sophomore has gone from hitting .212 in just 33 at-bats last year to leading the team in hitting with 8 RBIs and 32 total bases.

“It was extremely hard to sit and watch the team play last season,” she said. “I found softball to be a release from the stress of school to just go out and play.” 

Martin has been able to lean on her teammates to help her get back in the swing of things this season. 

“I have really been able to get the confidence in my swing back.” Martin said.

Softball head coach Kathy Strahan said Martin is one of those players that is wired to hit the ball well.

“Paige has been working hard to be back with her team and playing again,” Strahan said. 

Martin said this season has been a blessing for her to come back and play as well as she has been doing. 

“I have really appreciated being back and playing this season,” Martin said. “I helped keep my teammates positive in practice and in games as well.” 

Martin was a key part of the teams’ seven game win streak two weeks ago that she was awarded the Big Sky Player of the Week award. 

She said it was exciting to win the award because it shows how much her hard work has been paying off for her.

“It was great because it is an individual award, but I feel like my team really helped me get the award,” Martin said. 

Paige’s father, Dave Martin, has been to a lot of his daughter’s games this season and said that she looks like she is finally having fun out there again. 

“Paige has enjoyed being on the field with her team again because she loves the team chemistry this year,” Dave Martin said.

Last season was the longest time Paige Martin was away from softball because of the season ending wrist injury. Her father said that it was tough for his daughter to be away from the field and her team for so long. 

 “It was the first time since she was a kid that she actually was not able to play,” Dave Martin said. “Paige definitely wanted to be with the team last season and that affected her a lot.” 

Since coming back this season, Martin has been on fire with the bat,  hitting three doubles and two triples.

“I have been working on getting Paige to calm down from her amped up attitude when she is hitting so she can focus on doing what we need her to do everything we need her to do.” Strahan said.

Martin doesn’t want her success to end now because she wants to help lead the team to the post-season.

The Hornets return to Shea Stadium today at 1 p.m. when they take on Northern Colorado.

Clifton can be reached on Twitter at @jonesSHsports