The Gators spirits were dampened over the weekend as the team was defeated 7-5 in the opening game of three game series against Cal State L.A. before rain forced the teams to postpone the two final games.

The Gators (12-20, 6-15 CCAA) were once again forced to sit out a home game due to another storm, as Maloney Field was flooded Friday afternoon. The Gators are 32 games into the season, yet they have only played three games at home winning two.

“It's tough to stay consistent when you can't practice and play games,” head coach Matt Markovich said. “We haven't been able to practice much in the last four weeks because were out on the field pumping the water and trying to get it ready for games.”

The lack of practice time and home games has hurt the Gators in the win column and off-the-field as the team's morale has suffered in the last couple of weeks. The team was seemingly headed in the right direction after winning three out of four versus Western Oregon three weeks ago. However, rain and road games have sent the Gators spiraling towards the bottom of the conference as they have lost four out of their last five games.

“A lot of guys have been down because we haven't been able to play games here at home because of the field conditions,” designated hitter John Combs said. “Playing on the road is tough man, I'm not going to lie.”

The road has been tough for the Gators but if the weather cooperates the team will play the majority of their remaining games here at home.

Friday, the Gators struggled versus the Golden Eagles (19-9, 12-9 CCAA) falling behind 7-0 before they scored four runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning. The Gators hit the ball well in the game but committed two costly errors in the fourth inning that led to three runs. Junior pitcher Ben Horner (1-3) gave up three earned runs on five hits and struck out five in a losing effort.

“Right now the important thing is to keep our morale up and continue to work hard,” Markovich said. “It's been hard to maintain that level of excitement when you can't get out on the field and play and that's why we've been struggling.”

The Gators, who are batting .300 as a team, got solid performances from center fielder Phillip Girouard, two hits and two RBI's, shortstop Derek Simper, two hits and a run scored, and second baseman Aaron Garcia, two hits and two RBI's.

“Were just trying to maintain that competitive edge by doing team stuff in practice,” Girouard said. “I think were headed in the right direction. We just need to get out on the field and win some games.”

The Gators will have their chance to get back in the winning column this weekend in a four game series with Patten College.

“Our guys have been great, it's been a tough six or seven weeks so were just taking day by day right now,” Markovich said. “But no matter what you do or what you say it comes down to the end result and we haven't been winning.”