SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State scored 10 runs on 11 hits, highlighted by
Lafulafu Malepeai's third-inning grand slam, as the Hornets defeated Columbia, 10-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
The Hornets scored once in the first, four times in the third, and five in the fifth, including a pinch-hit walkoff RBI-single from
Alexa Carino to stop the game because of the mercy rule.
Sacramento State (13-12) was able to kick off its seven-game homestand in impressive fashion, as the Hornets' Nos. 1-5 hitters combined to go 8-for-12 with nine runs, five stolen bases and seven RBIs.
That included the return of
Gwen Ludwig who was back after missing nine games to injury. The senior captain finished 1-for-3 with a run and two bags, and is now 10-for-11 in stolen base attempts this season. She also tied the Sacramento State program record with 43 career steals - a mark that was set last season by
Haley Hanson.
Malepeai had a huge day, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs, a stolen base and career-high five RBIs. Her third-inning grand slam came with the Hornets trailing, 2-1. She took the first pitch well over the left-center field wall, a monster clout that traveled an estimated 260 feet. She would later add an RBI-single in the fifth.
Katie Marsh went 2-for-2 with three runs, coming around to score in all three of her plate appearances which included two doubles and hit-by-pitch.
Madison Evers-Lyles went 1-for-2 with a run, sacrifice fly and RBI, improving her hitting streak to 11 games (highest by a Hornet this season).
Andrea Lira was not retired while extending her hitting streak to six games, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs, a walk and an RBI.
Sacramento State finished with five stolen bases (two for Ludwig, and one each for Marsh, Malepeai and Evers-Lyles). The team is now 39-for-44 in stolen base opportunities. Carino,
Shannon Garcia, and
Nikki Barboza each had a hit and RBI. Garcia has now hit safely in nine of her last 10 games.
Alexa Ortiz (3-3) earned the win in relief, tossing two shutout innings, allowing just a hit with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. She needed only 29 pitches to retire six batters.
Sacramento State continues its homestand with a three-game series this weekend against Loyola Marymount. The Hornets and Lions play a doubleheader Saturday at noon, followed by a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
