Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's softball team swept Sacramento State on Sunday, taking the series three games to one. The Gaels outhit the Hornets 7-5 in game one and sophomore Jessica Lemmon pitched a gem in game two, giving up one run on four hits and struck out three.
In game one, the Gaels earned the 4-2 victory after a three-run second inning, all with bases loaded. Down 0-2, SMC put up the first run of the inning when second baseman Molly Smith threw home for the force out, but the throw sailed over the catcher's head to get within one of Sac State. With the bases still loaded, Rebecca Sabatini singled to left field, scoring Mandy Camuso from third. One out later, Michelle Mounts singled through the left side for the fourth hit of the inning and the Gaels took the 3-2 lead.
Saint Mary's added one more run in the top of the seventh when Tiffany Gonzales doubled to right center, scoring Michelle Mounts from second.
After celebrating the seniors, Katherine Delpit and Jenna Smith, in a senior ceremony between games, the Gaels took game two for the Sunday sweep.
The Gaels put up a run in the first, two in the fourth and one more in the sixth for the 4-1 victory behind starting pitcher Jessica Lemmon. Lemmon threw her second complete game of the season and moves to 3-5 on the season.
Sabatini scored the first run for the Gaels after getting walked by pitcher Megan Schaeffer, then stealing second and advancing to third on the errant throw by catcher Kelli Frye. Mounts hit Sabatini in on a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Gaels up 1-0 after one inning of play.
Two more Gaels came around to score in the fourth inning on an error by the Hornets center fielder and a sacrifice fly by Delpit.
The Gaels went up 4-0 after six on T. Gonzales's second RBI of the day, this time a single to center field. Sacramento State put together one run in the bottom of the frame when Jenice Bartee scored on a two-out error by Maryanne Cronin. The Gaels got out of the inning on a groundball back to Lemmon for the 4-1 victory.
With the sweep, the Gaels improve to 20-18 overall, 6-3 in conference play. Mounts finished the day 3-for-6 from the plate with two RBI's and two stolen bases.
The Gaels will hit the road for their first road conference series of the season next weekend when they travel to nearby Santa Clara, CA to take on the Broncos on May 1-2. First pitch is set for noon on both days.
