ARCATA — Humboldt State blasted the ball over the fence six times in the first game of the Jacks' home opening doubleheader and added five others in the unfinished second game. The Jacks defeated No. 4 Chico State 16-9 and rallied in the bottom of the seventh to tie the nightcap at 12-12, before the officials called the game after eight innings due to lack of light and weather conditions.

GAME ONE BOX

With their first California Collegiate Athletic Association win in the books, the Jacks now stand at 7-7 overall and 1-4 in conference. Chico State drops to 9-3 overall, 3-2 in the CCAA.

Chico State capitalized first, scoring in the first inning of play, but the Jacks answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Just like in HSU's first game of the season, Alicia Reid (3-for-3) drilled a homer with one out to tie the game at 1-1 after one inning. 

In the bottom of the second, with two outs and Dani Randall (2-for-4) already on base from a single up the middle, Andrea Chavez (2-for-3) sent the Jacks' second home run sailing over the fence to take the lead at 3-1. 

The Wildcats responded in the top of the third off a two-out rally. After singling up the middle, Britt Wright made her way to third to put herself in better scoring position for Chico State. Hailey Stockman reached on base off an error from Reid, allowing Wright to cut the lead to one at 3-2 in favor of the Jacks.

Chrissy Stalf (1-for-2) started the bottom of the fourth with a single just out of reach of Diana Payan at second. With two outs, Tonya Wlaker stepped up to the plate and sent the Jacks' third homer sailing over the fence to increase Humboldt State's lead to 5-2.

Sam Quadt started a four-run rally in the top of the fifth by doubling to center field. Two walked batters loaded up the bases, followed by another walk to bring the game within two runs. With bases still loaded, Stalf threw a Wildcat runner out at home, connecting with Courtney Hiatt. Hiatt tried for the double play, but the Rachel Failla made it difficult for Kirsten Nouzovsky to get a clean catch, allowing her to reach first safely and a runner to score. Bases filled up once more and Wright (2-for-5) doubled to left center, sending in the tying and go-ahead runs.

Down 6-5 in the bottom of the fifth, Humboldt State completed a rally of its own, scoring six runs off five hits. Sammi Gilbert walked to reach on base, followed by a single from Kirsten Nouzovsky. The pair each stole a base, putting them on third and second with Reid up to the plate. Reid powered her second home run of the game over to give the Jacks the lead once again.

With only one out, Stalf kept a good eye and reached on base off four balls. Hiatt wanted a piece of the home run action and knocked one out of the park for a two-run homer. Keeping the bats hot, Randall also homered to put the Jacks up 11-6 heading into the top of the sixth.

Quadt started with a single up the middle and Stockman, catching the home run bug, ripped the ball over the fence for a two-run homer. An error, a walk and a single loaded up the bases with no outs. Sam Baker reached on due to another Lumberjack error, sending a Wildcat in for a run. The Jacks closed out the inning with Kayla Evans striking out Wright for the third out.

In another action-packed inning with Humboldt State at the plate, the Jacks scored five runs off five hits. Nouzovsky (2-for-4) led off with a single through the left side. Reid followed with a double to left center. Felicia Viveiros singled to left field, giving Nouzovsky the green light to run in for the score. Stalf walked to load up the bases and Randall grounded out, but registered an RBI as Megan Wink, pinch running for Viveiros, scored on the play. Sarah Fox blasted a two RBI single to right center before the Wildcats could complete the third out.

Trailing 16-9 to the Humboldt State, Chico State felt the pressure building as it stepped up to its last appearance at the plate. Jessica George took the circle for the Jacks and struck Stockman out for the first out. Nouzovsky and Chavez connected to get the runner out at second for the second out of the inning. Nouzovsky assisted Stalf with the last putout of the game, securing the victory for the Jacks.

After eight innings and a tied score of 12-12, the nightcap was called, putting the game off until Saturday morning. Humboldt State and Chico State will complete game two before moving on to the last two games of the four-game series.