Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Christina Thomas Junior Kayla Meeks sets up her swing during Thursday's practice. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Christina Thomas Members of the softball team hit off tees to perfect their swings during Thursday's practice at Shea Stadium. [Click to enlarge]

The age-old saying 'practice makes perfect' is a good way of describing the Sacramento State softball team this season.

Although the team isn't quite perfect, with every team practice it takes a step in the right direction.

Coach Kathy Strahan, along with assistant coach Cara Hoyt, has seen the maturation of multiple players this year.

"We haven't made many changes. Most of the hitters are upper classmen who have been gradually perfecting their swings over the last few years," Hoyt said.

The Hornets have seen a tremendous uprise in their performance at the plate, outscoring opponents 218-153 this season.

An improvement in the batter's box hasn't only been focused on one player.

"Our lineup is tough to pitch to from beginning to end, and I think we have the perfect balance between speed and power," Strahan said.

The ladies in green and gold have scored double-digit runs in six games, and three of their games have ended via the run rule in favor of the Hornets.

Earlier this season the Hornets blanked Youngstown State 8-0, beat Boston College 14-3 and beat up on the University of Rhode Island 13-1.

"This has been the most explosive team offensively by far," Strahan said.

In her third year at Sac State, Hoyt has implemented a hitting regimen that works and the team as a whole is reaping the benefits.

From practice to in-game situations, the Hornets stress smart batting and the offensive statistics show it.

"The majority of practice is hitting. We watch a lot of video on previous games and opponents, hit live against our pitchers and prepare an offensive game plan," Hoyt said.

Six players on the team have a batting average of more than .300, three have more than 30 runs batted in and six women have at least 35 hits.

Junior Jamie Schloredt is leading the Hornet offensive charge, and she agrees with the importance of practice in relation to good hitting.

"We do a lot of front-toss batting practice. It puts you in different situations, and we do a lot of live batting," Schloredt said. "It's easier to transfer it to game situations."

Scholredt is currently first on the team in homeruns and second on the team in RBI.

Having such a productive offense as the Hornets do, it not only helps in gaining leads but also in coming back from behind.

In a recent game against conference opponent Portland State, the Hornets managed to erase a six-run deficit en route to a 13-7 win.

"You just can't count us out of any ball game until it's finally over, because we've shown on more than one occasion the ability to overcome deficits and pound on opponents," Strahan said.

Sac State pitchers have also been beneficiaries of the groove the hitters have been in.

Junior pitcher Kayla Meeks is enjoying the amount of scoring being produced by the offense.

"It is so relieving, because D-I teams are so good (and) having the team score runs is relieving," she said.

Having the lead or not, Meeks is put in a different mindset with the same goal in mind: winning.

"When we're down or tied, pitchers try to place the ball and they tend to pitch with tension. It's easier to throw your game with the lead," Meeks said.

The Hornets return to action on Saturday and Sunday at Shea Stadium against Santa Clara University.

Jose Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@statehornet.com

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