The Sacramento State softball team left its offense at home, when they traveled to the University of California, Riverside to butt heads with the Highlanders.

The Hornets failed to plate a single run during the three-game sweep, dropping the doubleheader on Saturday by identical 2-0 scores before losing Sunday?s match up 1-0.

“We fill the bases up, but can?t score a run,” Hornet coach Kathy Strahan said.

With the series sweep to Riverside, the Hornets record fell to 16-32 on the season and 5-16 in the Big West Conference.

Sac State has lost 12 of its last 13 games and has just three games remaining this season.

Meanwhile, Riverside improved their record to 14-42 overall and 4-17 in the Big West.

In the first game, Sac State had the bases loaded with one out in the third inning.

But after Lori Meixner was forced out at home plate, Jillian Bivert fouled out to end the threat.

The Hornets stormed back again in the fifth inning but fell short when Cathy Coupar flied out with a runner in scoring position.

Riverside picked up where the Hornets left off, plating runs in both the first and fifth innings.

The Highlanders finished with seven hitsthroughout the game, as opposed to the Hornets four.

“The team has a mental weakness at the plate,” said Strahan, whose team has been held scoreless for 27-consecutive innings, fast approaching the program record of 32. “We just can?t seem to score a run.”

In the second game on Saturday, the Hornets? woes at the plate continued.

Again, Sac State could muster just four hits while stranding runners in scoring position in both the first and fourth innings.

Riverside matched it?s production from the first game, scoring two runs on seven hits.

“We didn?t hit with runners in scoring position,” Strahan said.

The Highlander?s Monique Baeza recorded her second shutout of the season in the final game on Sunday.

The Hornets scattered seven hits in the game, but again could not get any runs across the plate.

The Hornets threatened several times throughout the game, putting eight runners on base throughout the afternoon.

Bivert nearly snapped the scoreless streak when she tried to score from second base on an Amber Dragomir single.

Bivert was thrown out at the plate.

“We have a great pitching performance and great defense,” Strahan said, “but no offense.”

Strahan said her staff has been working with the team all season, and despite the solid efforts, the team continues to struggle.

“Its frustrating for the team, and frustrating for the coaching staff,” Strahan said.

The Hornets will finish the season this weekend at home with a three-game series against the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Before the game, Sac State will recognize its seniors.

Cathy Coupar, Meghan Cunningham, Yolanda Estrada, Lori Meixner, Alison Norman, Arlette Sunseri and Mary Villalpando will be honored for their contributions throughout their Hornet careers.

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