ARCATA – It was a tale of two games as the Humboldt State softball team and Academy of Art split Saturday's doubleheader both via the eight-run mercy rule with the Jacks winning the first 10-2 and the Urban Knights taking the second 11-3.

With their fourth split in five doubleheaders, the Lumberjacks now stand at 10-4 overall while the Urban Knights see their record go to 6-14 on the season.

“Inconsistency is how you can describe our pitching staff right now,” Humboldt State head softball coach Frank Cheek said. “You can't expect to play roulette out there with your pitchers and expect to do well.”

In the first game, the Urban Knights opened the scoring in the top half of the third when Nicole Palmer led off the inning with a solo home run to center field. First baseman Alana Aweau brought home the second run of the inning on an RBI single.

However, the Jacks quickly answered in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back home runs by Natalie Galletly, a three-run shot, and Marissa Slattery.

The Jacks added three more in the bottom of the fourth again on back-to-back home runs. Lindsay Warren hit a two-run shot and Galletly hit a solo blast, her second on the day.

Humboldt State again went to the long ball to end the game in the bottom of the fifth. After Ashley Oltjenbruns walked and Geneva Perrine was hit a by a pitch, Chrissy Motzny brought them home with a three-run homer.

In the second game, AAU again got on the board first, this time on a Shampayne Clay three-run homer in the top half of the first inning off of HSU starter Jenna Anderson.

HSU answered back with one run in the first when Galletly hit into a double play bringing Nikki Ketteringham home.

The Jacks tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third when Perrine hit an RBI double. Ketteringham scored earlier in the inning on a Slattery fielder's choice.

The Urban Knights claimed the lead for good in the next half inning on an Aweau three-run double. They then scored five runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Ashley Roy and Jayme Stewart and a Palmer three-run home run to put AAU up by eight 11-3.

“(Academy of Art) are not a bad hitting team,” Cheek said. “We just don't have pitchers on our team right now that can put out the fire.”

Humboldt State will conclude its weekend series with Academy of Art Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Game 1

Humboldt State 10, Academy of Art 2 (Mar 07, 2009 at Arcata, Calif.) (Game 1)
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Academy of Art...... 002 00 -  2  4  0      (5-14)
Humboldt State...... 004 33 - 10  9  2      (10-3)
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Pitchers: Academy of Art - Ames,Erika; Garcia,Sierrah(4). Humboldt State - PEREZ, Gracie;
LEWIS, Kristina(3).
Win-LEWIS, Kristina(1-0)  Loss-Ames,Erika(2-7)  T-1:22  A-110
HR AAU-SB - Palmer,Nicole.
HR HSU - WARREN, Lindsay; GALLETLY, Natalie 2; SLATTERY, Marissa; MOTZNY, Chrissy.
Weather: Cool and Sunny

Game 2
Academy of Art 11, Humboldt State 3 (Mar 07, 2009 at Arcata, Calif.) (Game 2)
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Academy of Art...... 300 35 - 11 12  3      (6-14)
Humboldt State...... 102 00 -  3  7  1      (10-4)
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Pitchers: Academy of Art - Garcia,Sierrah. Humboldt State - ANDERSON, Jenna;
PARADA, Nichole(1); LEWIS, Kristina(5); LIEBLER, Paula(6).
Win-Garcia,Sierrah(4-7)  Loss-PARADA, Nichole(3-1)  T-1:40  A-116
HR AAU-SB - Palmer,Nicole; Clay,Shampayne.
Weather: Cool and Sunny

LIEBLER faced 1 batter in the 5th.