TURLOCK - Concluding its participation in the Tournament of Champions, the Humboldt State softball team dropped its opener of silver bracket competition, 2-1, to Saint Martin's on Sunday.

The Lumberjacks finished the tournament 4-2 and possess a 29-10 overall record, while the Saints advanced in the single elimination silver bracket with 4-25 mark.

Starter Nichole Parada picked up the loss for HSU giving up five hits and fanning three batters in five and 1/3 innings pitched. Jamie Herrick registered the win for the Saints striking out one batter and walking five in six innings.

"A mixture of poor base running, failure to get our bunts down and poor hitting on the outside pitches added to the loss," Humboldt State head softball coach Frank Cheek said. "Saint Martin's got the hits and play when they needed them and we weren't able to take advantage of their mistakes."

Saint Martin's got on the board first with a 240 foot home run by Kelsey McGladrey to lead off the second inning and then registered its game-winning run in the top of the sixth when Holly Morris crossed home plate off of Lisa Holomo's single. Morris got on base with a double to center field.

Nikki Ketteringham's RBI double to right center plated the Jacks' lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth.

"From here on out we will have to earn what we get," Cheek said.

Before resuming California Collegiate Athletic Association play next weekend hosting a four-game series against Cal State Stanislaus, HSU will play a doubleheader against Grand Canyon University Monday at 11 a.m.. Friday's doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. and Saturday's twin bill's first pitch is at 11 a.m. Saturday the Jacks will honor their six seniors before the game.

Saint Martin's 2, Humboldt State 1 (Apr 05, 2009 at Turlock, Calif.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saint Martin's...... 010 001 0 -  2  8  1      (4-25)
Humboldt State...... 000 010 0 -  1  4  1      (29-10)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Saint Martin's - Herrick,Jamie; Klemm,Brandi(7). Humboldt State - PARADA, Nichole;
ANDERSON, Jenna(6).
Win-Herrick,Jamie(3-11)  Loss-PARADA, Nichole(10-5)  T-1:37  A-77
HR SMU - McGladrey,Kelsey.
Weather: Sunny