After starting the season with an 11-game road trip, the Cal State Northridge softball team (2-9) comes home to Matador Diamond to face Michigan State in a three game series, starting Saturday afternoon.

Before Wednesday night’s 5-4 victory over San Diego State, the Matadors were on a seven-game losing streak due to their inability to pitch and drive in runs. With the victory over the Aztecs the Matadors could have momentum going into their series against the Spartans (3-6).

In last weekend’s tournament at UCLA, where CSUN played Portland State and the Bruins, the Matador pitchers allowed 35 runs and 38 hits in four games.

“We need to transfer what we do at practice into the games,” said pitcher Amanda Pitzenberger.

The Matadors Debbie Duran (0-3) and Mia Pagano (0-2) both have an ERA of over 8.39 and Piztenberger and Hannah Fraijo ERA is over 4.05 combining for 91 hits and 71 runs in 11 games.

“Our pitchers need to show up to the games,” said head coach Roni Sparrey “We need to pull together and get in sync.”

The start of Michigan State’s season has been rocky too with four games being one-run losses, but two of its three wins have been blowouts, where they’ve won 10-2 and 8-0. The Spartans come into Northridge with a four game losing streak. In their nine games they have left 41 runners on base and have had 49 hits.

Leading the offense for the Spartans is Lindsey Hansen with a batting average of .385, 10 hits, and four homeruns. Following her is Brett Williams with a batting average of .308, six RBI’s, eight hits, and two homeruns. Their pitching has only giving up 18 hits and Spartan Shelby Wise has an ERA of 0.87, giving up one run and 10 hits.

The Matadors are staying positive even though they have lost big games to start the season.

“We have to keep the intensity up and stay motivated as a team,” said Pitzenberger

The series will start with a double header on Saturday at 12 p.m. then at 2:30 p.m. and the last game will be played Sunday at 12 p.m.