Big Sky standings

OGDEN, Utah — In what amounted to the second longest game in Sacramento State's Div. I era (1990-pres.), the Hornets fell in 14 innings to Weber State, 4-3, in the third and final contest of a three-game Big Sky Conference series at the Wildcat Softball Complex.

A two-out, RBI-single from Aubrey Whitmer drove home McKinle Brinkerhoff with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 14th. That hit ended a three hour and 34 minute marathon in which the teams combined for seven runs, 22 hits and 22 runners left on base. That included no errors by either side.

The longest game in the Hornets' Div. I era also came in a loss to Weber State, a 15-inning grinder at Shea Stadium in 2013 that was played over two days.

With the win, Weber State (33-15, 14-3) sweeps all three games of the series against Sacramento State (23-20, 12-6), which included taking both games of a doubleheader yesterday. The series was a matchup of the top two teams in the Big Sky as the Hornets were a half game ahead of the Wildcats when play began yesterday. Now, Weber State sits 2.5 games ahead of the Hornets in the conference standings with just three games to play, and appears to be in the driver's seat to win the league's regular season championship and host the Big Sky Tournament May 12-14.

In fact, Weber State needs to win just one game at Montana next weekend to clinch the regular season title. The only way Sacramento State can clinch the championship is to sweep three games at home against Portland State next weekend while Weber State loses all three at Montana. The top four teams in the eight-member league are currently Weber State (14-3), Sacramento State (12-6), Montana (12-6) and Idaho State (10-6). The top six teams in the conference advance to the Big Sky Tournament.

With the regular season title a long shot, the Hornets will now turn their attention to keeping their second place footing in the conference standings as they are tied with Montana and just one game ahead Idaho State.

The Wildcats opened the game by scoring three runs off Hornet starter Savanna Corr. Hornet sophomore Celina Matthias was inserted into the game to start the second, and proceeded to throw 12 consecutive shutout innings before Whitmer's walkoff singe in the 14th. Each of Weber State's three runs in the first inning came on a three-run homer from No. 5 hitter Mackenzie Corta.

Sacramento State scored a pair of runs in the second inning on an RBI-double from Sydnee Strong and an RBI-groundout by Shelby Johnston. Strong, a true freshman, was making just her sixth start of the season in left field in place of senior Kayla Papez who was ill.

The Hornets tied the game in the sixth when Johnston laced a two-out single to right field which scored Kailey Olcott. Sacramento State had multiple chances to score in extra innings, but squandered the following opportunities - second and third with two outs in the ninth, runner at third base with one out in the 12th, and runner at second base with two outs in the 13th. In the 12th inning, Alas was thrown out at the plate when trying to score from third base on a bunt from Zamari Hinton.

Weber State used two pitchers, including Bailey Seek who threw eight scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits and two walks. In the process, she improved to 5-4 this season. Matthias (17-12) was the tough-luck losing pitcher, allowing just one run and 10 hits over 12.2 innings. The 12.2 innings were a career high for the right-hander.

The Hornets received multiple-hit games from Sydney Rasmussen (3-for-5 with a run scored) and Sasha Margulies (2-for-7). Kortney Solis also had a hit, extending her hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. In addition, Margulies (20) and Solis (19) extended their lengthy streaks of consecutive games reaching base safely.

Sacramento State concludes the regular season next week with a three-game home series against Portland State. The Hornets and Vikings play a doubleheader on Friday at noon, and a single game on Saturday at noon. Prior to Saturday's game, Hornet seniors Margulies, Papez, Solis and Kaitlyn Yerby will be honored for their contributions to the program.