Sacramento State’s softball team beat causeway rival UC Davis Aggies 5-4 in today’s game at Shea Stadium, with Alexa Chattleton’s walk-off triple to left center in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Hornets had a slower start to today’s game than the Aggies. UC Davis took the lead in the top of the first inning when Sac State pitcher Caitlin Brooks gave up three runs, one being unearned.

“We had a bit of a chip on our shoulder coming in wanting to get this W for our school and for our program, because of the way we lost last time we wanted to get that W,” said coach Lori Perez.

Designated hitter Alexis Martinez started the Hornets’ momentum after hitting a home run to left field, scoring herself and Sasha Margulies and putting the score at 3-2 with Sac State trailing in the bottom of the second inning.

Sac State fought until the end and Perez believes that Martinez was a big factor in keeping the team’s heads up.

“I think everyone got a little pissed, and we started pushing on them a little bit to step up their game and they responded as a team, and I think Lexi Martinez’s home run really helped us get over that hump and helped get us going,” Perez said.

Brooks kept the game close for her team pitching five innings and only allowing three runs that scored in the first inning.

Kaitlyn Yerby relieved Brooks in the sixth inning, allowing four hits and one run. Yerby was tense in the sixth inning but was able to calm herself down in the seventh, allowing one hit.

“When I went back out in the seventh inning I focused on taking a deep breath, just relaxing and keep my pitches down, I was definitely a lot more relaxed in the seventh inning,” Yerby said.

Along with the help from the Hornets’ defense and their pitching, they had a good day of hitting as well. UC Davis ended up using five different pitchers in the game.

The Hornets came into the sixth inning calm and having fun, ultimately bringing success to senior Paris Prado.

“I think we all just knew we had to stay calm and keep enjoying ourselves, because we play our best when we have fun and when we are in the moment, and we never want to press,” Prado said.

Prado was able to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning when she doubled to center field, and had two RBIs, scoring teammates Marissa Maligad and Makenzie Wayadande.

Chattleton ended up being the game winner for the Hornets when she hit a walk-off triple to left center and scored teammate Nicole Clark.

Chattleton was confident going up to bat in the seventh inning; she knew she wanted to make a difference for her team. Chattleton’s batting average on the season is .389.

“I just really wanted to come through and step up,” Chattleton said. “I knew Nikki was at first and if I just found a hole that we had a chance to score her, but I was just pretty much looking for a base hit and it was just enough to win the game.”

Sac State will continue conference play on the road Friday, April 10 at the University of North Dakota.

Perez plans on bringing the same effort displayed in today’s game into the weekend.

“We want to bring the same edge and same will to win,” Perez said. “We know we can go in and win all three games. It will be tough because we are on the road, but we are going to take it one game at a time.”

Sac State will have its next home game on Friday, April 17 against Idaho State.