Big Sky Conference standings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- True freshman Mo Spieth went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, including a walkoff 3-run homer in the sixth inning to deliver Sacramento State a mercy-rule shortened 10-1 victory over Idaho State in the final game of a three-game Big Sky Conference softball series at Shea Stadium.

The five RBIs are the most by a Hornet this season, and the three-run bomb punctuated a 5-run sixth inning for the Hornets that allowed the eight-run mercy rule to go into effect. The Hornets had trailed, 1-0, after three innings until putting up crooked numbers in the fourth (3), fifth (2) and sixth (5) innings. The 10 runs were one more than Sacramento State had combined to score in its last four games.

The win allowed the Hornets (12-17-1, 2-3 Big Sky) to salvage one game in the three-game set as Idaho State (11-15, 4-2 Big Sky) swept a doubleheader between the two teams yesterday. Sacramento State, which notoriously has a tough time against Idaho State, was also able to snap a seven-game home losing streak against the Bengals.

After trailing, 1-0, through three and a half innings, Sacramento State was able to plate three runs in the fourth via RBI-single from Spieth and a two-out, two-run single from Shelby Johnston. The Johnston hit went the opposite way on a 2-2 pitch to plate both Spieth and Suzy Brookshire.

Sacramento State tacked on two more in the fifth when Spieth laid down a perfect squeeze bunt scoring Zamari Hinton and Jessica Scott later added a sacrifice fly scoring Sydney Rasmussen.

In the sixth, the Hornets took advantage of three straight walks to open the inning. After a sacrifice fly from Rasmussen and an RBI-single from Brookshire, that set up Spieth's at-bat with two aboard. Spieth crushed a 2-1 offering over the left-center field wall to end the game and enforce the eight-run mercy rule.

In 27 games this season, Spieth has 29 RBIs. She has destroyed Big Sky pitching to the tune of a .471 batting average (8-for-17) with three home runs, 11 RBIs, 17 total bases and a 1.000 slugging percentage. In addition, Spieth is batting a robust .452 (14-for-31) with runners in scoring position, and 15 of her RBIs have come with two outs in an inning.

Celina Matthias (5-5) got the win while lowing her ERA to a 3.39, allowing four hits and one run in four innings. Danielle Sperry notched her third save, yielding just one hit with two strikeouts in two innings of relief. Harley Wells (2-2) took the loss, giving up five runs and six hits in four innings.

Brookshire finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, and Johnston was 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs. Five different Hornets had RBIs, including Rasmussen (1) and Scott (1).

Sacramento State will return to action for a non-conference game on Tuesday at Santa Clara (5 p.m.) before hosting a three-game series with Montana on Saturday-Sunday, April 8-9. The Hornets and Griz will play a doubleheader on Saturday at noon followed by a single game Sunday at noon.