-The Sacramento State softball team failed to extend their 10-game winning streak against San Jose State on Saturday, losing the first game of the doubleheader in a 3-2 contest, but eventually split on the day by way of a 6-2 victory in the second game.-

Hornet head coach Kathy Strahan doesn’t seem too concerned with streaks though. “We weren’t trying for a win streak,” Strahan said. “The object of the game is to outscore the opponent. We’re just trying to keep that in perspective and everything else will take care of itself.” –

After dropping the first two games of their season, the Hornets have since won 14 of their last 16 games, improving their overall record to 14-4. –

The Hornets will continue to find success as long as they “take care of the basics of the game,” Strahan said. “We must execute well offensively, get good pitching performances in the circle and play good defense. And we’re very capable of doing that.”-

In game No. 1 of the afternoon, the Hornets struggled offensively against Spartan pitchers Candice Akin and Courtney Lewis, who collectively allowed the Hornets just two runs and seven hits in the game. –

Hornet errors provided the Spartans with a run in the first. A two-out, two-run single in the second ultimately gave the Spartans enough room for victory.-

Sophomore Brianne Ferguson provided five innings of shutout relief for the Hornets, and has now allowed just two runs in her last 46.1 innings. Freshman outfielder Lindy Winkler had two triples in the game, giving her a total of four on the season. –

“She has all the potential in the world to be an All-American before she is done here,” Strahan said of Winkler. “She is a great all-around hitter that can do a lot of things. “-

The Hornets got revenge in the late game through timely hitting and excellent pitching. Leading 2-0 going into the bottom of the third, the Hornets scored four runs to extend their lead 6-0. –

Nicole Deatherage took care of the rest, as she allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits through seven innings of work. Retiring the first 11 batters of the game and striking out six, Deatherage improved her record to 6-2. –

Winkler, along with sophomores Amy Hillel and Erin Coyne, led the Hornets’ offense with two hits, respectively. –

Sacramento State will look to prove themselves against top-ranked opponents, as they head back to work this weekend, participating in the National Invitational Softball Tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif. The Hornets’ will take on No. 24 Minnesota, and No. 6 Cal Berkeley, the defending national champions, on Friday. Bracket play will begin Saturday and will run through Sunday.-

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