CSUSM’s softball team took on Saint Martin’s University Saints on Sunday, Feb. 7 in a double header. The girls struggled all day offensively which ultimately lead to their defeat.

In the first game of the double header, the Cougars sent out pitcher Amanda Horbasch to take on the Saint’s Lindsay Miller. Miller was taken off the mound after only facing two batters, allowing one hit and one run.

After scoring one run, the Cougars’ offense looked stagnant against new pitcher Kim Nelson, who struck out two girls in the second inning. The Saints were able to get one run in the third and fourth innings to take the lead, and all the momentum swung towards the Saints.

The Cougars managed to tie it up in the fifth inning, before waking up to score three runs in the sixth inning. Melyssa Bellamy led off the sixth with what appeared to be a single, but raced to third base with the Saints’ left fielder missing the ball. After a walk and two outs, the Cougars got RBI singles from Brogan Hoenisch, Tayler Ybarra and Holly Fauria to take the lead with 5-2.

Even with a three run lead, Horbasch couldn’t keep the Saints scoreless and they took a one run lead towards the end of the last inning. With one out remaining, three consecutive hits by Horbasch, Hoenisch, and Amanda Lejano led to the tying run and sent the game to extra innings.

Horbasch went out to for the eighth, but gave up a two-run home run. With two outs remaining, junior Ashley Dagenais replaced Horbasch. The Cougars were not able to muster up any runs, and fell 6-8.

Dagenais started the second game, but only managed to pitch four innings, giving up two runs. With Dagenais not feeling well, the Cougars turned back to Horbasch, who pitched three innings and gave up four runs.

“[Horbasch] had a really high pitch count Friday, and in the first game [on Sunday],” Head Coach Laurie Nevarez said, “And [she] was gasping for air, going one pitch at a time and I commend her for that.”

In the second game of the series, the Cougars were unable to contribute offensively to help  out their pitchers, as they only scored one run, which came off of a Saints error.

Nevarez said, “I think the frustration got to us after the first game, with it being an eight inning game, [we] came in a little defeated, and swung at pitches we shouldn’t have.”

The girls played their hearts out, but their valiant effort couldn’t get them a win in either of their two games.

The Cougars’ next chance for redemption is at home against Cal State Dominguez Hills in a four-game series on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13.