ARCATA — Sonoma State survived a shoddy defensive effort, riding Lindsay Emmel's two-hitter to a 3-2 win over Humboldt State in the second game of the NCAA Division II West Region Championships on Friday.

Emmel struck out two and walked three, working around four errors committed by the SSU defense to help her team improve to 35-23. Humboldt State wasn't much better in the field, committing a pair of errors behind losing pitcher Gracie Perez, who gave up only four hits while striking out three and walking one.

“The top of our lineup didn't get it done today,” HSU head coach Frank Cheek said. “Gracie (Perez) did her job, but you're not going to win when you don't hit the ball.”

No. 1 seed Humboldt State (37-19) remains alive in the double-elimination format, moving to Saturday's 1:30 p.m. elimination game against Montana State Billings. Sonoma State will take on Cal State Stanislaus at 11 a.m. to start the day's action.

“It's huge to get through that first game and win,” Sonoma State head coach Jaime Wallin said. “It's good to be in the driver's seat.”

On Friday, HSU edged ahead in the second inning without the benefit of a hit. Marissa Slattery walked to open the inning, and pinch runner Megan Green advanced on an error that allowed Caitlin Klug to also reach base.

Lindsay Warren was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, and Franny West's sacrifice fly to center field sent Green home with the game's first run.

Sonoma State tied it in the top of the third, the inning starting with Ashley Sardina reaching on an error before Kayla Ledford was hit by a pitch to give the Seawolves runners on first and second. Sardina was thrown out at third on a double-steal attempt, but Ledford moved to second and eventually scored on Nicole Cordova's double.

The pitchers' battle continued into the top of the fifth, which opened with Janelle Arnold coaxing a walk.  Sardina followed with a home run to center, moving Sonoma State ahead 3-1.

Humboldt State drew within one when Caitlin Klug led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run just inside the left field foul pole.  In the seventh, Geneve Perrine reached base on an error with two outs, but CCAA Player of the Year Natalie Galletly flew out to center to end the game.