Sacramento State softball team hosted the University of Nevada in a matinee doubleheader Wednesday at Shea Stadium.

The Hornets came into game one looking to end a seven-game skid that saw them drop five straight in the inaugural Hornet Round Robin Tournament over the weekend.

Ailing pitcher Megan Schaefer, who is recovering from wrist surgery, received the start for the Hornets.

However, Schaefer was in hot water early, giving up runs in the first two innings, including a home run to Megan Fincher of the Wolf Pack. But after struggling early, Schaefer settled down nicely and was able to pitch a complete seven innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hornet Kelli Frye started the parade of green and gold batters with a lead off walk. Alyssa Nakken then reached second on a throwing error by Wiley, which allowed Frye to score from third.

Sac State would score one more run off of a throwing error by the catcher. The Hornets took their 3-2 lead into the seventh, hoping to shut down Nevada and end the skid.

Danielle Patrick, however, hit a game-tying home run to center field at the top of the inning.

The Hornets needed just one run to end the game and getting those runs has been difficult for this young team. Lead off runner Jenice Bartee was able to advance to third base on a pair of Wolf Pack errors. Frye then came up and took a two ball and one strike pitch to left field, scoring Bartee from third and taking the first game of the double header.

Schaefer got the win while striking out seven. She also scattered six hits and three earned runs. Katie Holverson received the loss for the Wolf Pack. She went six innings, striking out five, giving up three hits, four runs with just one run earned.

Going into game one, Schaefer said that she felt good.

“I know the team was pumped up, we had a good practice Wednesday,” Schaefer said. “I felt good about that, I felt good going into because I knew the team was there.”

And as for going a complete seven innings on surgically repaired wrist, she said that it was all right.

“It got a little tired near the end, but its good,” Schaefer said.

In game two, the Hornets were not as fortunate with the run support as many of their hits did not make it out of the infield. In the fifth, the Wolf Pack brought home three unanswered runs on just one hit.

The Hornet bats were silent until the bottom of the seventh inning as they attempted a come back. With one out, Bartee reached first on a single to left and ultimately scored on a Marissa Navarro single to right field. The game ended on a strike out of first year player Molly Smith.

The final score for game two was 5-1, in favor of the Wolf Pack. Mallary Darby earned the win for Nevada. She went seven innings, striking out nine, giving up five hits and one earned run.

Shelby Voelz would continue her three-game losing streak, going seven innings, striking out six, giving up five earned runs on six hits. It wasn’t all bad for the Hornets, as Bartee went two for three at the plate and teammate Smith earned her first hit as a Hornet. The hit for Smith ended a 25 at-bat hitless streak to start her career at Sac State.

On getting that first hit, Smith said it felt good.

“It felt good to get my first hit of the season,” Smith said.

And as the season progresses, Smith feels her game will improve as she devotes more time to her hitting.

“Defensively, I think I am good,” Smith said. “Offensively, I need to work on pitch selection, staying off the rise ball, and I think I’ll be fine.”

Coach Cathy Strahan was pleased to split the two game series with Nevada heading into the weekend tournament at Cal Poly.

“It was nice to take advantage of some Nevada miscues in the first game,” Strahan said. “And actually turn it into a win, I think that was pretty up lifting and we needed that.”

As for Schaefer’s complete game win, she feels that her starter is a competitor.

“She hates the fact that she is hurt,” Strahan said. “She hates the fact that it’s not happening for her right now and I told her she just needs to be patient, you need time.”

Coach Strahan doesn’t expect her to be at full strength until April 1.

Sac State will be in action this weekend at the Cal Poly Tournament in San Luis Obispo.

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]