Sacramento State softball lost its first game of the 21st Capital Classic to the Texas State University Bobcats on Friday.

Sophomore Caitlin Brooks pitched all seven innings, allowed one run on two hits and struck out five in the 1-0 loss.

“On paper, we were expecting a better offensive performance than what we produced today,” head coach Kathy Strahan said. “Texas State did a good job keeping our hitters off balance today.”

The only run crossing the plate was done with one swing of the bat from Texas State’s senior first baseman Haley Lemons. Lemons lined a one-run home run over the right field fence.  

“It was my mistake because I hung that pitch up there,” Brooks said. “I should have shook off Kortney – it was my fault.”

Strahan said that she had not talked to Brooks yet about the pitch in the fourth inning.

“We play as a team and talk as a team,” Strahan said. “We had a lot input from the players after the game in how we need to play the next few games this weekend.”

Brooks tried to keep the team in the game after the home run so her team can help her out.

“We have always started slow offensively, so I was just trying to keep the team in the game the best I could,” Brooks said.

The Hornets’ offense only produced two hits without any runs crossing the plate. Texas State executed their scouting report on the Hornets to perfection. However, Texas State stymied a lot of would be hits for the Hornets.

“It was frustrating that we didn’t come out and hit well today” senior center fielder Kelli Frye said.

The Hornets were flat offensively after last weekend’s offensive outpouring in the Cal Poly tournament.

“We really produced offensively last weekend and we thought we were going to roll over Texas State,” Brooks said.

The Hornets have only won one game at home so far this season, coming against UC Davis. Strahan said it may because they have been on the road.

“We have not done well at home this season, maybe its because we haven’t been here that much this year,” Strahan said.

Sac State plays two games in the second day of the Capital Classic on Saturday. At 1 p.m. the Hornets take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels and at 3 p.m. Sac State will take on Fresno State.

 

Clifton jones can be reached on Twitter @JonesSHsports