The Sacramento State softball team split its first double header against CSU Bakersfield on Saturday afternoon, taking the first game 5-4 and losing the second 3-5.

Head coach Kathy Strahan said the team committed simple errors that could have been avoided, contributing to the loss in the second game. The Hornets stand at fourth in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference standings.

Hornet sophomore Taylor Stroud pitched the whole first game, with six strikeouts but allowed six walks and four runs.

The Hornets first scored in the opener with a two-run homer hit by freshman Kaitlyn Taylor in the second inning, giving the team an early lead.

Bakersfield was able to retaliate when sophomore Amy Ricciardi hit a two-run single, tying the game in the third inning.

Sac State took a two run lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two-run double from junior Emily McCormick scoring junior Kelli Frye and sophomore Devin Caldwell.

Caldwell bunted in the sixth inning scoring sophomore Shannon Kaufman from third. It ended up being the game winner.

The second game ended in the Roadrunners’ favor, as they took advantage of Hornet errors.

Bakersfield took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Sac State shot back in the fourth inning with senior Alyssa Nakken knocking an RBI double. Jessica Abelia with a RBI-single.

Bakersfield scored two more unanswered runs before the end.  

Senior pitcher Shelby Voelz allowed 12 hits and five runs but had four strikeouts against the Roadrunners.

Head coach Kathy Strahan said freshman pitcher Caitlin Brooks suffered an injury and was unable to play on Saturday’s games.

“We couldn’t have her throw today because she injured her lower back during practice,” Strahan said. “I had no relief for either one of them, which is hard on a hot day like this, we had to deal with that adversity.”

Strahan said the Hornets were strong at the plate with seven hits in the second game, but three fielding errors gave the advantage to the Roadrunners.

“We would take a lead and breakdown massively on defense: failure to execute basic throwing and catching stuff and we would give a lead right back,” she said.

Strahan said the team lost focus on the basics, leading to the downfall in the second game.

“I think we had an epic collapse defensively with basic execution of stuff we practice all the time,” Strahan said. “Unfortunately, I feel our team is better than we played and we were better when we played the first game.”

Strahan said the upperclassmen of the team have to show leadership to succeed in the remaining games of the season.

“It takes juniors and seniors to win championships and the juniors and seniors on this team need to step up and get it done,” Strahan said. “From here on out, it’s about them, they either are going to do it or not.”

Joe de Ocampo can be reached at [email protected].