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By Isabelle Juarez, newsletter editor
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Hey there, sports fans!
This week in sports, Sacramento State's baseball time reached Division I rankings for the first time in school history. Sac State athletics had its first group of fans allowed at a game in over a year, though fans did not have much to cheer for as the women's soccer team dropped two games. The men's tennis team struggled to recruit U.S. players due to a 2018 infraction. And, the baseball team canceled a weekend series after a positive COVID-19 test in Sac State's program. Plus, the volleyball team ended its season with a loss in the Big Sky Tournament.
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Sac State baseball ranked in top 25 for first time in school history
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The Sacramento State baseball team rushes the field after Matt Smith’s walk-off hit during the ninth inning of the home game against Stanford University at John Smith Field on Monday, March 29, 2020. The Hornets were named the 24th ranked team on Collegiate Baseball’s top-25 poll on Monday, marking the first top-25 ranking in Sac State history. Deanna Sanchez
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For the first time in Sac State history, Division I Collegiate Baseball rankings will feature the Hornets. The Hornets climbed to 24th after defeating the then-ranked 24th Stanford University Cardinal, who are now 25th.
The Hornets are the only Western Athletic Conference team to be represented in the rankings.
Read what coaches and players think about the ranking.
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With fans in attendance women’s soccer drops 2 matches
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Senior midfielder Samantha Craig takes a swift turn toward the ball, with only six seconds left in the first half of the Hornet’s home game against Montana on Friday, April 2, 2021. Sac State lost the game in overtime with a final score of 1-0. Sydney Roll
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For the first time in over a year, a Sacramento State athletic team was able to play in front of fans. Due to COVID-19, Sac State teams have been unable to receive support from fans and family in the stands.
However, fans of the women's soccer team did not have much to cheer for as the team dropped two games to the University of Montana. The team lost 1-0 in overtime in the first match and 3-0 in the second.
Read more about the losses at home here.
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Sac State men’s tennis continues struggle of recruiting U.S. players
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Freshmen Rudolfs Aksenoks and Jan Silva fist bumping during their doubles set against Saint Mary’s on March 12, 2021 at the Sac State tennis courts. The men’s tennis team lost the match 4-1. Jordan Latimore
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With the exception of one school, all men's tennis teams in the Big Sky Conference have a majority of international players. While COVID-19 and competition from others school have made recruiting California players difficult, a three-year probation period placed on Sac State is also to blame.
In 2018, the men's and women's teams were placed on probation due to a former director consistently offering student-athletes and recruits housing arrangements, free tennis lessons and access to a racquet club.
Read more about the struggle of recruiting California players here.
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Female athletes, coaches share stories of women who influenced them
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Sac State volleyball season ends in 3-0 1st round Big Sky Tourney loss
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Freshman outside hitter Bridgette Smith attempts a kill at the Bank of Colorado Arena on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in the Hornets’ first round matchup against Northern Arizona. Sac State lost the match 3-0 as their season came to an end. Courtesy of University of Northern Colorado Athletics
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The volleyball team's season came to an end in the first round of the Big Sky Tournament on March 31. The fourth-seeded Hornets faced fifth-seeded Northern Arizona University and lost 3-0.
The Hornets will be returning 14 of 15 players with every starter expected to be back for the 2021-2022 season.
Read more about the Hornets' loss here.
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FILE PHOTO: Sac State junior first baseman Alondra Mejia catches a throw against UC Santa Barbara at Shea Stadium on Feb. 9, 2020. Mejia hit a school record of three home runs in one game leading the softball team to a 9-4 win over the University of Montana. Luis Platero
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Junior first baseman Alondra Mejia hit a school-record three home runs in one game Saturday, April 3. The team also achieved another program record of six home runs in one game against the University of Montana.
Mejia led the team to an impressive 9-4 win at Montana going 4-for-4 with three home runs and three RBIs. The softball team swept Montana in a three-game series last weekend.
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Friday
Women's Soccer at Portland State
1 p.m.
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Saturday
Men's Soccer
vs. UC
Davis
3 p.m.
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Sunday
Baseball vs. New Mexico State
10 a.m.
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