The Sacramento State softball team failed to pick up a win this past weekend, as Santa Clara University traveled to Shea Stadium and claimed two come-from-behind victories in a doubleheader.

The Hornets fell to the fifth-ranked University of California, Berkeley 3-2 and 4-0 Saturday.

In game 1 of the doubleheader against Santa Clara, Sac State struck first in the bottom of the second inning when senior Lori Meixner connected on an RBI single that brought senior Cathy Coupar across home plate to give the Hornets the advantage.

Pitcher Jillian Bivert held Santa Clara scoreless throughout five innings until the sixth when a controversial call and unforced errors helped the Broncos pick up three runs.

With Santa Clara’s Sidney Wigington on first base with a walk, the batter, Lacey Smale, dodged out of the way of an errant Bivert pitch and appeared to interfere with Hornet catcher Erin Coyne, but the umpire did not call interference, allowing Sidney Wiginton to advance to second base.

“I don’t think that was the right call,” coach Kathy Strahan said.After the controversial non-call, Sac State began to falter at the hands of a very composed Santa Clara lineup. Moments later Smale hit a triple to right field to bring in Wigington to tie the score at one.

“It was a turning point in the game. It contributed to our own demise and we had a couple of fielding errors,” Strahan said, referring to the umpire not calling interference.

The Hornet defense faltered, committing two errors and allowing the Broncos to rally in the sixth inning to take the lead.Santa Clara scored one more run in the seventh inning and was able to hold off the Hornet offense in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the 4-1 victory.

Pitcher Jillian Bivert took the loss and pitcher Jennifer Ponzo of Santa Clara picked up the win as Sac State was able to scatter eight hits but was devastated by committing four errors.

In the second game, the Hornets came out swinging leaving Santa Clara pitcher Deanna Rodriguez with a 0-2 deficit after the first inning. Sophomore Amber Dragomir was the first to score when Bivert hit an RBI double to bring Dragomir in. Coupar then brought in freshman Amy Hillel on a sacrifice hit.

The Hornets were unable to squeeze another run out of Rodriguez after the first inning and could not manage to hold the Broncos offense, as they tied up the game in the third inning.

Hornet pitcher Nicole Deatherage, in over five innings of play, allowed only two runs and seven hits before junior Kirsten Wise came in the fifth for relief.

When the game looked as if it might go into extra innings, Smale doubled to left-center field bringing in two runs for the Broncos. Tracie Hall followed with a home run to pull the Broncos ahead 5-2.

“We had opportunities to score and Santa Clara stood in there and made the plays,” Strahan said.

On Saturday the Hornets hit the road in a season opener doubleheader against Cal and found themselves returning to Sacramento with an 0-2 record.

Despite the two losses the Hornets made the games close, adding confidence for the team.

In game 1, the Bears were ahead 3-0 going into the seventh inning, scoring three runs off six hits allowed by Bivert.

In the seventh inning Cal pitcher Jocelyn Forest gave up a two-run homer to Bivert bringing the Hornets within one run.

“(Bivert) has never let me down. She is always raising the bar,” Strahan said.

The Hornets seventh inning rally fell short however, as Forest held off freshman Coyne and Amy Hillel to end the game.

“We showed a lot of class and strong demeanor,” Strahan said.

Sac State’s second game against Cal did not go as well as the first. Pitcher Jen Deering of Cal finished seven innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven batters. Junior Gina Steenburgen took the loss for the Hornets, giving up ten hits and four runs.

Even though the Hornets opened their season winless, Sac State was in position to win three out of the four games they played.

The Hornets will next see action on Saturday at Shea Stadium when they take on St. Mary’s College.