In a four-game battle for first place in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference, Sacramento State coach Kathy Strahan’s team found their hitting stroke three games too late.

The Hornets (28-22 overall, 7-5 in PCSC) dropped three of four games against Loyola Marymount over the weekend, falling two games out of first place in the conference standings.

Strahan feels her team must win all eight remaining games to have a shot at the conference title.

“We need more people to step up,” Strahan said. “We only have like four people who are leading this team.”

In the series’ finale on Saturday, Sac State opened up the scoring in the sixth inning when center fielder Lindy Winkler scored from third base when catcher Erin Coyne hit into a fielder’s choice. The Hornets would score two more runs in the inning to open up a 3-0 lead.

The Lions rallied for two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but saw their rally die when Hornet second baseman Amy Hillel made a putout at first base with runners on second and third. Sac State pitcher Brianne Ferguson (11-11) put the finishing touches on a 3-2 win with a perfect seventh inning.

Ferguson recorded the loss in the series’ opening game on Friday, allowing four runs over 2 2-3 innings. Jillian Bivert’s four RBI, including a three-run home run, provided all the Sac State offense, as the Hornets lost the opener 7-4.

The Hornets lost 3-1 in Friday’s second game, despite starting pitcher Nicole Deatherage (13-9) allowing only two runs in seven innings. Deatherage also took the loss in Saturday’s first game, a 4-3 nail biter.

The Lions broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fifth inning when Danielle Kaminaka hit a two-run home run to left field.

“It hurts,” said Strahan of the series with Loyola Marymount. “It takes the wind out of our sails, but we have to regroup.”

With an injury to starting shortstop Amy Walter, Strahan is currently starting four sophomores and three freshmen in the field.

“I’m trying to turn the field into an outdoor classroom,” Strahan said.

The Hornets will next travel to face Santa Clara in a four-game series on Saturday and Sunday.

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