Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Sacramento State
WSU Gives Up Late Lead in Opener
2/27/2011 12:36:00 AM | Softball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Weber State University softball team got off to a good start in the 2011 season opener on Saturday, only to see Sacramento State rally with a four-run sixth inning to steal a 5-2 win at Shea Stadium in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference Crossover tournament.
Paige Martin doubled home Emily McCormick in the first inning to give the Hornets an early 1-0 lead, but the Wildcats came back with a pair of runs in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead.
Newcomer third baseman Lyndsey Minnich singled to center in her first official at-bat as a Wildcat, setting up WSU's two-run frame. Minnich advanced to second as second baseman Britinie Hardine was hit by a pitch from Megan Schaefer. Left fielder Symbree Minniear then laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Minnich and Hardine both scored as Sac State's Devin Caldwell committed a throwing error.
Starting pitcher Sarah Clark held the one-run lead for the Wildcats through five innings, allowing the lone run on five hits and striking out eight in her first performance with Weber State. Clark stranded a pair of Hornet baserunners in the third inning and another three in the fifth inning to keep the Wildcats ahead.
Sacramento State finally broke through in the sixth, getting to the Wildcat bullpen as Kelsie Vallies entered for Clark. The Hornets scored four times on three hits, with McCormick providing the big blow on a two-run single that broke a 2-2 tie.
Ashley Huddleston reached on a two-out single in the seventh inning to give the Wildcats a chance at a rally of their own, but she was stranded to end the game.
Minnich finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate to lead WSU, while Huddleston's late hit gave her a 1-for-2 day. Brooke Silva also recorded a hit for the Wildcats, going 1-for-3 on the day.
The Wildcats are now 0-1 on the season, while Sac State, who had seven games already under its belt in the 2011 season, improved to 2-6.
Weber State will play its final two games of the tournament on Sunday, facing St. Mary's at 11:30 a.m. and Cal State Bakersfield at 1:30 p.m.
