Sacramento State opened conference play on the road at Northern Colorado, finishing 1-2 in the three-game series.
The Hornets showcased a blend of timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and key pitching performances, proving that they can compete even on the road.
In the first game, junior pitcher Alexa Ortiz took the mound for her 14th start of the season. The Hornets struck first in the top of the first when sophomore outfielder Saskia Raab launched a solo home run to left center, giving Sac State a 1-0 lead.
Northern Colorado responded immediately when a single down the left-field line put a runner on base, which was followed by another single and a triple, allowing three runs to score. A fielder’s choice brought in an additional run, giving Northern Colorado a 4-1 advantage.
In the top of the second, Sac State threatened Northern Colorado again. Junior first baseman Malissa George walked, followed by sophomore outfielder Karissa Avila and freshman second baseman Ava Medellin both drawing walks, which loaded the bases. Senior outfielder Faith Epperson delivered a sacrifice fly, scoring George and cutting the deficit to 4-2.
Northern Colorado added another run in the fourth when a single to center field advanced a runner from second to home, extending their lead to 8-2.
Sac State mounted a late rally in the seventh when junior shortstop Madi Mendoza launched a two-run homer scoring Medellin, followed by Raab doubling to left center. The late rally ended there, and Northern Colorado held on for an 8-5 win.
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In the second game, senior pitcher Kennedie Bacon started for Sac State.
The Hornet offense exploded right away. In the first, senior outfielder Lafulafu Malepeai singled and stole second, Mendoza walked and Raab singled to left field, advancing the runners. Sophomore catcher Shannon Garcia scored Malapeai by fielder’s choice, followed by a Evers-Lyles single that scored Mendoza.
George added another single, scoring Rabb to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead. Avila continued the onslaught, lacing a single to right field that scored Evers-Lyles. In the second, Epperson singled up the middle to center field and stole second, which was followed by a two-run home run from Malepeai that sailed over the left field fence to make it 6-0.
Northern Colorado finally got on the board in the fourth. A single followed by a walk loaded the bases, and an error made by the shortstop allowed two runs to score, cutting Sac State’s lead to 8-2.
The Hornets added insurance runs in the seventh. Raab started the inning with a single up the middle to center field and then stole second base, putting her in scoring position. Garcia followed with a single, then was pinch run for by sophomore outfielder Addy Buckley. Buckley stole second base, then was moved over to third base after George put down a sacrifice bunt that scored Raab and moved Buckley to third base. With the extra runs, Sac State ended the game with a commanding 10-2 win.
In the final, series-deciding game, Ortiz returned to the circle.
Northern Colorado scored first when two back-to-back doubles to left field scored a run, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead. Sac State responded in the third, when Epperson walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch, which was followed by a single by Malepeai to drive Epperson home, making it 1-1.
Northern Colorado then broke the game open in the second inning. A walk, a single to right field, and a flurry of hits loaded the bases for the Bears, setting up a grand slam by senior infielder Amailee Morales. At the end of the inning, the Bears held a 7-0 advantage.
Northern Colorado added two more runs in the fourth inning after a single to left field advanced a runner home, which was followed by a double to center field to bring in a second run and increase the lead to 9-1. Sac State could not recover, and Northern Colorado closed out the series with a 9-2 victory, resulting in the Hornets dropping the three-game series.
The Hornets later reversed their performance, scoring 2-1 against Weber State on Friday, April 3.
