The Sacramento State baseball team dropped all three of its games to California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo last weekend, extending its current losing streak to a season-high eight games.

The Hornets have not won since defeating the University of Hawaii-Hilo at home on April 16.

After defeating Hawaii, Sac State went on to lose three games at California State University, Northridge, followed by a crushing 18-1 defeat by the University of Santa Clara last Wednesday and a heartbreaking 6-5 loss at Stanford University last Thursday.

The latest Hornet loss, a 9-0 drubbing by the Mustangs at Hornet Field, brings their record to 15-27 overall.

The Hornets remain winless in 15 Big West Conference games.

“It?s been a difficult year,” Hornet coach John Smith said. “The players are feeling the affects of it. They feel like they?re letting the coaches down and their teammates down. But they are playing as hard as they can.”

The Hornets began the weekend with a 7-2 loss on Friday night at Raley Field.

Sac State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by sophomore Chris Kinsey, but the Mustangs tied it up in bottom of the inning and then exploded for four runs in the third inning to pull ahead permanently.

Saturday?s 9-6 loss at Hornet Field proved to be particularly tough to take. Cal Poly led the game 5-1, thanks in part to a three-run first inning, but the Hornets fought back to tie the game twice before finally giving up three runs in the ninth inning.

Senior Ryan Brown followed up his 2-for-4 performance on Friday with a 3-for-5 effort on Saturday.

Freshman Matt Wilson went 2-for-4, with two RBI while filling in at catcher for the injured Joe Evans.

“I thought we were in a position to win [Saturday?s] game. We just couldn?t close the deal,” Smith said.

Cal Poly pitcher Kevin Correia dominated Sunday?s series finale, working eight innings and giving up just three hits en route to the shutout.

Correia had a no-hitter through five innings before a close call at first base.

Freshman Everet Rincon and first baseman Brian Haskell collided at first and Rincon was able to reach the base before Haskell could tag him.

Junior Tim Reimer and senior Mario Celillo had the other two hits for Sac State.

Sac State trailed 4-0 until the seventh inning.

Cal Poly then blew it open with five runs on four hits, highlighted by RBIs from Brian Haskell and Bryan Gant, and two wild pitches from junior relief pitcher Dusty Decker.

“Cal Poly is a good hitting team,” Smith said. “They did some serious damage to our pitching staff this weekend.”

Hornet pitchers were touched up for 25 runs and 42 hits over the three-game series, while mustering only eight runs on 24 hits of their own.

“They did a good job keeping us off the bases and avoiding the big inning,” Smith said.

“[Losing] is always a stress,” Smith added. “Whether it?s part of a five-game streak or it?s a single one-run game.”

The Hornets are also struggling through physical injuries that have hindered the team?s performance.

In addition to the injury to Evans, who is day-to-day with back problems, they have also had to work through the loss of senior pitcher Kevin Marzion.

“Not having Marzion in there means we don?t really have our fourth starter, which means our bullpen is stretched a little further than we?d like,” Smith said.

Still, Smith is optimistic about the team?s future.

“We still want to go out there and win every single game,” Smith said. “At the same time, we try to develop the younger players. We are in the heart of our youth movement right now.”

Only 10 of Sac State?s 28 players are seniors.

“I?m looking forward to this program getting back on track,” Smith said. “Next year, we are going to be better.”

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