There is a single universal truth when it comes to playing sports: Injuries are bound to happen. And injuries have hit the Sacramento State softball team in recent weeks.

Sac State was picked to finish atop the Pacific Coast Softball Conference’s Coastal Division in the preseason coaches poll.

The softball team has played more than 20 games without three key players due to injuries. On top of those injuries, it doesn’t help that 12 of the 22 players on the active roster are either sophomores or freshmen.

With the injuries and inexperience on the team, winning has been made that much harder.

The Hornets found themselves scrambling to fill key positions early in the season, as injuries sidelined several prominent players. Their current record is 13-24 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

The team has been forced to field seven freshmen at different positions since the injuries. Head coach Kathy Strahan said the coaching staff has asked a lot from its current lineup.

“People are trying to step up and fill positions and we are asking freshmen to move in,” Strahan said. “And to fill some big positions, like shortstop, that is a big position at this level and especially coming in and playing as a freshman.”

The three injured players are pitcher Megan Schaefer and infielders Desiree Beltran andJessica Abelia.

Schaefer had been suffering from a concussion sustained Feb. 16, when she and Beltran accidentally collided heads.

Schaefer has only been able to do light drills at trainer’s orders. She was able to make an appearance Friday in the game against Cal. Schaefer pitched the last two innings of the game, striking out two, walking one, and giving up one hit.

Prior to the appearance, Schaefer wasn’t pleased that she could not contribute to the efforts of the team. The injury opened the door for others.

“It sucks. I’m going to be honest, I hate being hurt,” Schaefer said. “Looking at the bright side, it did allow my teammates more game time.”

In the three weeks after the collision, Schaefer has not played and has experienced symptoms from the concussion.

“I had really bad headaches. Things would get fuzzy,” Schaefer said. “I would be confused. I wouldn’t be able to comprehend things as much.”

She also suffered from fatigue and sensitivity to light. Schaefer was also unable to go to class for a week and had to get plenty rest per doctors orders.

Beltran hurt herself in the first game of the season Feb. 20 at the Fresno State Kickoff Tournament. She suffered a high ankle sprain that got progressively worse and ultimately forced her to the bench.

Beltran is walking with the aid of a crutch and a soft cast on her left foot. She continued play in the weeks after the injury but the sprain forced to playing.

Abelia broke metacarpals in her right hand on March 20 after being hit by a pitch against Utah State University. She said it will take time for her to heal.

“It’s really complicated right now. The doctors aren’t really sure what’s going on. It’s not getting better,” Abelia said. “The doctors are saying four weeks in a cast and then rehab, possibly surgery. If that happens, then I am not sure when I will be back.”

Beltran and Abelia are first and fourth in team batting average, as Beltran is hitting .462 and Abelia is hitting .320. Schaefer is tied for first on the pitching staff with an 3.83 ERA.Beltran plays both third base and shortstop, as does Abelia.

While on the bench, Beltran said she studies each game as if she were playing. Her teammates help to fill in the extra information she misses.

“I watch and observe a lot of the pitchers and try to pick up their habits,” Beltran said. “I ask the players what they are seeing and how often they are seeing pitches. Just some questions I would ask if I were playing but a lot more in-depth.”

Beltran’s absence opened a hole on the left side of the infield. Two players who stepped up were freshman infielder Erin Jones and freshman third baseman Emily McCormick.

Jones was seeing regular time at third base, where Beltran normally played, but McCormick has seen the majority of the time at third base.

Prior to McCormick moving to third base, she had little playing time at the position. However, she said she felt mentally ready to play the game at a moment’s notice.

“You come every day expecting to play. You never want to sit the bench,” she said. “No one comes to the field expecting to sit the bench. Every day you expect to play and be ready when coach call upon you.”

In spite of the injuries and the team not performing at its peak, Strahan said she is encouraged by the returning players she will have for next season.

“When I have those times, when I can look ahead to next year, and I see Beltran back, and Abelia back, and Megan back, with Alyssa Nakken getting to the next level, I am getting pretty excited about how things are starting to shape up for next year,” Strahan said, “even though I am still really living in this year.”

Matt Harrington can be reached at [email protected]