SAN BERNARDINO/CARSON — (March 4) Humboldt State's softball team dropped the final match-up of a four-game series with Cal State San Bernardino, 2-1, then fell to Cal State Dominguez Hills 3-2 in a non-conference duel, ending its five-game roadtrip on a sour note Sunday.

The Lumberjacks fall to 14-3 overall and 5-1 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Coyotes moved to 11-11 overall and 5-7 in the CCAA while the Toros improved to 11-8 on the season.

Leslie Carrasco accounted for both of Cal State San Bernardino's runs, knocking out RBI singles in the first and the eighth innings to give the Coyotes the 2-1 victory.

Humboldt had tied the game 1-1 in the top of the seventh inning on a solo home run by Vanessa Shernock. A single and sacrifice bunt to open the bottom of the eighth moved a Coyote runner to second base. Then, an error by Lumberjack pitcher Tracy Motzny allowed the runner to advance to third, and later score on the Carrasco single up the middle.

“It was a good ball game,” said HSU head coach Frank Cheek. “It was well pitched and well played. You lose a game now and then, but we didn't go down easy.”

Motzny (6-2) recorded three strikeouts and one earned run while scattering six hits.

Following a drive from San Bernardino to Carson, the Jacks took the field against Cal State Dominguez Hills where uncharacteristic fielding errors allowed a come-from -behind win for the Toros.

Carolyn Cameron crossed the plate in the top of the first, giving Humboldt an early 1-0 advantage. The Jacks scored again in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Megan Sutherland.

The Toros got one run back in the bottom of the fourth, then took advantage of a pair of Lumberjack errors in the bottom of the seventh to score two unearned runs.

Lizzy Prescott (8-1) retired nine of the first 12 Toro batters and finished the game with 12 strikeouts. She also walked four and gave up six hits.

“Lizzy pitched a great game,” said Cheek. “Having not played outside is really hurting us on knowing where we are on the field. We have a good, experienced outfield, but practicing in the fieldhouse hasn't allowed us to learn how deep a ball is and how to play it.

“We played some good teams this week and the good thing is that we are still in first place,” said Cheek.”

Humboldt is scheduled to play a four-game CCAA-counting series against CSU Monterey Bay Saturday and Sunday on the HSU Softball Field.

Score by Innings                   R  H  E
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Humboldt State Univ. 000 000 10 -  1  6  1
CSU San Bernardino.. 100 000 01 -  2  6  0
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Cameron 1x3, 2B; Galletly 2x4; Harbeson 1x3; Shernock 2x3, HR, RBI
Loss: Motzny (6-2)

Score by Innings                  R  H  E
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Humboldt State...... 100 100 0 -  2  5  3
CS Dominguez Hills.. 000 100 2 -  3  6  0
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Cameron 1x3; West 1x4; Slattery 1x3, 2B; Sutherland 1x3, 2B, RBI; Motzny,C. 1x3; Galletly RBI
Loss: Prescott (8-1)

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