Softball is a game of streaks, and for the Sacramento State Hornets a losing streak is the worst type of streak to be on.

The Hornets are on a four-game losing streak after losing in back-to-back doubleheaders against conference foe Loyola Marymount University.

Sac State’s softball team traveled to Southern California looking to extend its three-game winning streak, only to be sent home with nothing to show for it in terms of wins. In the first game of the four-game series, starter Tiffany Pagano pitched a complete game five-hitter against the Hornets, earning her 19th win of the season. Izmena Cabrera drove in Sac State’s only run with her eighth homerun of the season in the 2-1 loss for the Hornets. The second game proved to be another close one between the Hornets and the Lions, and again Sac State would fail to figure out Pagano. She pitched another complete four-hit beauty, earning the 1-0 victory. Megan Schaefer took the circle for the Hornets, allowing the only run of the game in the third inning. After back-to-back hits for LMU, Kirsten Slouber hit a triple followed by an Amy Charpentier single, driving her teammate in. Teri Ann Caoagan was the only Hornet to have multiple hits in the game, both singles. A new day meant the same thing for the Hornets, as they fell 8-6 to LMU in the third game of the series. Multiple runs finally came in for the team, but the Hornets gave a majority of them back in one inning. LMU scored five times in the fourth inning off starting pitcher Kayla Meeks, who took the loss, giving the Lions an 8-3 lead. Trying to start a late rally in the fifth inning, the Hornets loaded the bases twice but were only able to push across a single run on a Jenice Bartee single.

Sac State would only muster one additional run, ending its potential come-from-behind victory. Trying to avoid a sweep, the Hornets sent Schaefer to the mound, but she was pulled after only one inning of work. She allowed three runs on five hits en route to her fourth loss of the year. Amy Tompkins accounted for all the Hornets’ runs, hitting a two-RBI single in the fifth inning. It wasn’t enough as LMU outscored the Hornets 4-2. Pagano started her third game of the series and again went the distance, pitching a complete game. She allowed four hits while striking out nine. With the sweep LMU earned sole possession of the top spot in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. Prior to their series with Sac State, the Lions had lost five of their last 10 games. Next up the Hornets will start a home series against the University of Santa Clara on Saturday and Sunday.

Jose Martinez can be reached at [email protected]