TURLOCK – In its first three games of the young season, Humboldt State grabbed two victories, 4-1 over Metro State and 6-5 over Cal State Monterey Bay, but fell in a close 3-2 result to No. 15-ranked Chico State. 

After their first day of games in the book, the Jacks start the season 2-1, with two more games left to play in the Best of the West Invitational. Metro State finished the day 1-2 to put the Roadrunners 2-3 on the season, Cal State Monterey Bay stands at 2-1 after completing its first three games of the season, while Chico State starts its season undefeated at 3-0.

Alicia Reid started the Jacks off to a great start by homering in the first inning against Metro State. Reid found her second hit of the game in the third, sending a driven ball to left field, however the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Jacks.

The Roadrunners' scoreless drought ended in the bottom of the third. Brittney Padilla doubled through the right side and was sent home after Molly Clark singled up the middle, tying the game at 1-1 after three innings.

Humboldt State answered right back with a double of its own from Felicia Viveiros. Viveiros powered the ball to right field, giving the Jacks a chance at a go-ahead run. Serena Aragones, who subbed in for Viveiros, advanced to third by tagging the base off a fly. Another sacrifice fly, from Ally Blenis, sent her in for the go-ahead run, putting the Jacks up 2-1 with three innings left to play.

Jennifer Sizemore and the Jacks defense once again kept Metro State scoreless heading into the fifth. With two outs already on the board, Reid was walked and scored when Chrissy Stalf doubled centerfield. Stalf scored the last run of the game after Dani Randall singled to left, recording her first collegiate RBI.

Once again, Humboldt State attacked first in the second game, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Kirsten Nouzovsky hit a ball straight back to the pitcher, but beat the throw after Caitlin Wallace muffed the ball. Randall's single just to the left of center allowed Nouzovsky to score the leadoff run for the Jacks. Randall then scored off a double down the right field line from Vivieros, putting HSU up 2-0.

Jessica George walked two Otters to put the tying runs on base, which Jackie Serna promptly batted in with a triple to right center. Corrie Reinhardt doubled to send Serna in, giving the Otters their first lead by just one run. Nina Villanueva sent Reinhardt in with a single to put the game at 4-2 after just one inning, in favor of CSUMB.

Wallace walked Blenis and Andrea Chavez to put the tying runs for HSU on second and first. Reid, who finished the day 5-for-7 at the plate, singled up the middle to send the two RBIs in to tie the game at 4-4, which it remained until the top of the fourth. With Reid and Stalf on base, Randall powered a double in the gap between the left and center fielders to once again put the Jacks up by two. 

The Otters cut the lead to one in the bottom of the sixth when George walked a run in to put the score at 6-5 in favor of the Jacks. Chavez prevented CSUMB from tying the game once again, connecting with Blenis to pick Jamie Moon off at the plate. Cal State Monterey Bay had another chance to put the game back in their hands in the bottom of the seventh, but Randall connected with Nouzovsky for a double play to end the game 6-5.

The final game of the Saturday's action started just like the other two with Humboldt State putting up the first run. Sam Baker walked Reid to start the bottom of the first. Stalf doubled down the right field line to send Reid home, putting the Jacks up 1-0. 

With two outs, Chico State buckled down and scored three runs in one inning. Taylor Hanamaikai singled to left to give the Wildcats the opportunity of tying the game. Emily McEnaney doubled to send Hanamaikai in for the run. Hailey Stockman tripled to send McEnaney in and scored off Diana Panay's single, putting the Wildcats up 3-1.

HSU answered with a run in the bottom of the third after Reid singled to left center and scored off Vivieros' third double of the day. The Jacks took it down to the last inning, and found themselves down an out but a runner on first. Baker wasn't ready to give up her win, striking out two Jacks to end the game 3-2.

The Jacks finish the Best of the West Tournament tomorrow, Feb. 5, starting with a 10 a.m. game against Western Washington, followed by a 12:15 p.m. game against San Francisco State.