The Sacramento State softball team ended their 2003 season by splitting a doubleheader with San Diego at Shea Stadium on Sunday.

The first game ended 2-0 in favor of the Toreros while the Hornets (30-26 overall, 9-9 in Pacific Coast Softball Conference) won the second game 7-1.

Saturday, the first day of scheduled play against the Toreros, was cancelled due to a storm that swept through the Sacramento area. The two games missed will not be made up.

On Sunday, San Diego scored the only two runs of Game No. 1 in the third inning on a two-run double.

Hornet starter Nicole Deatherage retired the last 13 batters of the game, however she still picked up the loss. Freshman center fielder Lindy Winkler went 2-for-3 with a stolen base.

The Hornets jumped out early in the second game of the doubleheader, scoring three runs in the first inning. Sophomore Erin Coyne went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Junior Amanda Moreland also went 2-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBI.

“I was just trying to put the ball into play,” Moreland said. The first three runs of the second game came in the first inning off a Coyne RBI single, a Moreland RBI double and a Deatherage sacrifice fly. Another run was added in the second inning off an Amber Dragomir RBI single.

The last three runs of the game came in the seventh inning. Hornet senior Gina Steenburgen allowed one run and five hits over seven innings.

“I had a lot of fun, it was a good game to end my college career on,” said Steenburgen, who finished the season with an ERA of 1.98.

“I am very proud of what Gina did throughout her career,” Hornet coach Kathy Strahan said. “She battled a stress fracture in her leg most of her softball career and she never wanted to let it show. She has more courage and heart than anyone.”

The Hornets also celebrated Senior Day on Sunday, honoring first baseman Jillian Bivert and Steenburgen.

“This team isn’t going to be the same without them,” Moreland said. “They showed us the ropes.”

Bivert ended her career with 201 hits and 93 RBI.

“I was happy we were able to end the season with a win,” Strahan said. “Throughout the end of the season we had good pitching but no offense to support it.

“We are only losing two seniors so we will have lots of experience next year,” she added.

The Hornets will start practicing for next season in September. They have 19 players returning for the 2004 season.

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