Sacramento State softball split its two games today against Saint Mary’s University and Boise State University in Moraga, Calif.

Unfortunately, the late rally to tie the game against the Gaels came up short for the Hornets as Saint Mary’s mounted its own late effort to win the game 4-2.

Saint Mary’s jumped to an early lead when it scored two runs in large part to a two-run single by Gaels’ catcher Andrea Hazel in the first inning. After the first, Hornets’ senior pitcher Taylor Stroud settled down retiring 14 out of the next 15 batters. .

With the help of Stroud, the Hornets tied up the game in the fifth inning on a one-run home run by freshman center fielder Shelby Johnston – her first home run as a Hornet.

“When I made contact with the ball I had no idea it was going to go over the fence,” Johnston said. “It feels good to hit my first home run as a Hornet.”

Two singles later, pinch runner sophomore Makenzie Wayadande scored the tying run in the top of the fifth inning when junior right fielder Paige Martin hit a double to right center.

In the next inning however, the Gaels scored two more.

After a wild pitch by Stroud moved two Saint Mary’s runners to third and second base. Gaels’ Christine Torrise found a whole in the outfield scoring both runners. Saint Mary’s would eventually close out the Hornets top of the seventh.

In the second game, Sac State beat the Broncos of Boise State 3-1. Junior pitcher Caitlin Brooks showed her dominance in seven innings of work, giving up one run on five hits, one walk and five strikeouts.

Boise State scored first in the third inning with small ball as the Broncos laid down two consecutive sacrifice bunts and a stolen base, which scored centerfielder Tara Glover.

Sac State answered in the bottom of the fourth inning with a RBI double by Kortney Solis, tying the game at 1-1. After Brooks held the Broncos to a scoreless fifth inning, the Hornets scored two more insurance runs with a two-run RBI single by Johnston.

“We had more quality at-bats in the game against Boise State,” said head coach Lori Perez. “We strung together our hits and scored those runs of timely batting.”

Johnston lead the Hornet hitting in both games going 4-for-7 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and a run scored.

Sac State will take on both teams again Sunday, with the Broncos at 10 a.m. and the Gaels at 2 p.m. in Moraga, Calif.

Clifton Jones can be reached on Twitter @SH_Sports