With an opportunity of winning their first Big Sky Conference title in program history, Sacramento State softball could not come through, as they were defeated by Weber State University 13-1 in the championship game of the conference tournament this afternoon.

The loss in Pocatello, Idaho sealed the Hornets’ season record at 28-26 overall and 15-6 in conference.

The game ended after the fifth inning due to the NCAA eight-run mercy rule.

The Hornets could not produce much offensively against Wildcats’ pitcher Flint MacCauley, as they were only able to record three hits and one run against her.

“We came up against an opponent that caught fire and we couldn’t stop them from scoring,” said Hornets’ coach Lori Perez. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have an answer for their pitcher offensively to keep up in the ball game.”

Paige Castro, Zamari Hinton and Kortney Solis were the only Hornets credited with a hit.

Hornets’ pitcher Caitlin Brooks only last 1.1 innings, allowing seven earned runs and six hits in her final game of her colligate career.

Freshman pitcher Celina Matthias would relieve Brooks, but could not slow down the Wildcats’ lineup, allowing four earned runs on five hits.

After an incredible performance throughout the tournament, Hornets’ outfielder Paige Martin went 0-for-2 with a run scored that brought her home run streak at three. If she had hit one today, she would have became the first player in program history to homer in four straight games.

Even though she went hitless, Martin finished the season by reaching base safely in 36 consecutive games after being hit by pitch.

“I thought she had a great season,” Perez said. “I thought she was ready for us throughout the year [with] the roles that we placed her in, particularly, being the leadoff batter.”

Ending the tournament in defeat is disappointing for Perez’s squad, but she said she is proud of her team for advancing as one of final two teams in the tournament.

“I’m disappointed that we weren’t competitive in the game,” she said. “A lot of breaks went against us, a lot of things went for Weber State and that’s just the way the game goes sometimes. I’m just proud of the girls for fighting and getting to the championship game.”

Weber State’s victory over the Hornets clinches an automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA tournament, which starts May 15.