Sacramento State softball won its third straight game, sweeping Santa Clara University 4-3 with the help of freshman second baseman Kayla Papez and sophomore right fielder Paige Martin.

The Hornets scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead and won the game in the next half inning. 

“The team was on cloud nine after the come-from-behind win today in the seventh inning,” said head coach Kathy Strahan.

Martin hit her two RBIs in the first inning and the seventh inning when she singled to the shortstop and right field, respectively. 

During the first inning, Martin’s single scored senior center fielder Kelli Frye to give the Hornets the lead. 

Martin finished the day hitting 3-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. In the last three games, she hit .416 with three RBIs and scored three runs. 

“Paige is doing a great job keeping calm in the batter’s box and she is doing well to produce quality hits for our team,” Strahan said.  

Papez’s hit came in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two runs and giving the Hornets the lead and eventual win. The second baseman finished the day 1-3 with two RBIs. 

Sac State was quieted offensively after the first inning until the seventh inning when the Hornets scored three runs to grab the lead. 

“We are still working the kinks out with the freshmen on the team, but we are coming together a little more every game,” Strahan said. “I don’t really want to peak just yet, so we are right where we want to be.”

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Yerby started the game, but was taken out of the game in the third inning after she surrendered four hits, three earned runs and one walk.

“I took out Kaitlyn because she was getting shelled out there and I didn’t want to come back too far from behind,” Strahan said. 

Freshman pitcher Jennifer Hartman replaced Yerby in the third inning and finished the game without surrendering any runs, but allowed four hits and a walk. The win brings Hartman’s record to 2-1.

“Jennifer said she was ready to go if I needed her to do so, and she did just that for us,” Strahan said. 

Sac State takes on Rutgers University in first game of the Mustang Classic in San Luis Obispo, Calif. on March 8 at 11:30 a.m.

 

Clifton can be reached on Twitter at @jonesSHsports