After being trounced the night before by the Louisville Cardinals, 12-7,Sac State got its chance at redemption Saturday during play in theconsolation bracket of the ninth annual Capital Classic SoftballTournament.

“When we faced them in pool play they pounded us really good,” saidHornet head coach Kathy Strahan. “Our pitching just let go and we tookit on the chin. But, we made some improvements and baby steps.”

But, it wasn’t enough, as the Hornets lost a nail-biter in eightinnings, 3-2.With the designated runner on second, the Cardinals methodically woredown the Hornets in the eighth.

After sacrificing the runner over to third via the bunt, Christina Sotoslapped the game-winning single into the outfield, breaking thedeadlock.

“They got the base hit in the five-six hole and that was the ball game,”said Strahan, whose team actually held a two-run lead during the earlystages of the contest.

Sac State’s Jillian Bivert, a sophomore first baseman out of Woodland,Calif., wasted little time making her presence felt, jacking a two-runhomerun over the fence during the first inning, driving home MeghanCunningham.

But, as it has all season long, the Hornets pitching woes caught up tothem. Coincidentally, the Hornets watched as their lead slowly dwindleddown and then disappeared.

“We haven’t been able to get seven innings out of our pitchers,” saidStrahan, whose pitching staff consists of two sophomores and a freshman.”So, we went with our plan.”Her plan was to let her pitching staff share time on the mound. AfterGina Steenburgen opened the game with two clean innings of work, NicoleDeatherage got the nod from Strahan.

Only a freshman, her inexperience at the college level showed, as sheallowed the Cardinals back into the game.

Deatherage allowed two runs in five innings of work, including agame-tying solo home run in the seventh.

“It really took the wind out of her sail,” said Strahan of her freshmanhurler.Despite giving up two runs, Strahan was pleased with the progress heryoung right-hander showed.

“She had great command of the strike zone,” Strahan said. “She’s makingadjustments slowly.”

While pitching has consistently failed the Hornets this season, Strahanwas quick to point out that pitching isn?t the only aspect that needssome fine-tuning.

“Right now, we?re relying on the same four or five core players. And,they?re just getting worn out,” Strahan said. “We need others to stepup.”

“We can upset Iowa and then turn around and lose to Louisville (twice).We’re searching for consistency.”