Sacramento State’s softball team was slowed offensively in losses against UC Santa Barbara and Fresno State Friday in Fresno, Calif. at Bulldog Field.

In both games, Sac State combined to score just three runs and was outscored 8-3 by its opponents.

It was evident that the Hornets struggled with their bats and gloves. The inability to bring home runners from scoring position and the errors in the field kept Sac State from being 2-0 the first day of the Fresno State Kickoff tournament.

“We hurt ourselves really defensively in both games today,” Perez said.

The Hornets took on Santa Barbara in the first game of the tournament.

Sac State’s junior pitcher Caitlin Brooks stepped into the circle for the second time this season. Brooks allowed six hits, a hit by pitch and eight strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched.

In the fourth inning, Hornets pinch-runner Makenzie Wayadande scored off of junior right fielder Paige Martin’s single to right center tying the game at one.

The Gauchos would score in the fifth thanks to two errors from first baseman Sasha Margulies and Martin. Again, Sac State would answer with a run of its own in the fifth inning when senior shortstop Yesenia Alcala doubled and then scored two batters later on a single from junior left fielder, Alexa Chattleton.

The Hornets went into extra innings before losing in the bottom of the eighth when UCSB’s Ariana Palomares hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Stacy Cavazos from third base.

“We could have won that game, we just need to string some of these hits together,” Perez said.  

Against Fresno State, the offensive struggles continued.

Sac State jumped to an early lead in the first inning with Martin picking up her second RBI of the day. The Hornets lead was erased quickly with a solo home run by Bulldogs’ Michelle Solomon.

Fresno State would eventually win the game 5-1, giving Sac State’s senior pitcher Taylor Stroud her first loss of the season. In five innings, Stroud gave up four hits, two home runs, four earned runs and seven walks.

“We are obviously not clicking yet this early in the season,” Perez said. “We knew that it would take a while to play some solid ball this season.”

Sac State will take the field again for two games, Saturday at 9 a.m. against CSU Bakersfield and 2 p.m. against UC Riverside.