ARCATA – After a successful first road trip to the Best of the West Invitational in Turlock, Humboldt State hits the road again to face Cal State Dominguez Hills in its first California Collegiate Athletic Association contest.

"We're going to have to play our best game to win them," said head coach Frank Cheek. "Alternatively, they're going to have to play their best game to beat us."

The Jacks opened over the weekend with a 4-1 record, losing only to No. 15-ranked Chico State by one run. CSUDH was also at the Best of the West tournament, but finished with one less win than the Jacks, putting the Torros at 3-2 overall. 

Head-to-Head

Since last year's games were cancelled due to weather conditions, the last time the two teams faced each other was in 2010. Out of the five games they competed in, the Jacks only grabbed one 1-0 win, losing 0-1, 1-9, 3-7 and 5-6 to the Toros. HSU still holds the edge in the overall series with a 24-16 record against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Multimedia

Fans can follow the Jacks play by play, hit by hit through the live stats via CSUDH's website found at http://www.ccaalivestats.com/dominguez/sfb/xlive.htm. The game will also be broadcast over the Torros' radio network at www.GoToros.com/Live.

Lumberjack Notes

Three seniors and a junior started the young season batting at .500 or better over the weekend. Felicia Viveiros leads the Jacks with a .625 average after posting 10 hits in 16 appearances at the plate, including four doubles, four RBIs and a run. Alicia Reid was on fire the first day, hitting 5-of-7, with her first hit of the season a homerun. Currently Reid sits just below Viveiros batting .600 with nine hits in 15 at-bats, eight runs and three RBIs. Chrissy Stalf, who led the CCAA last year in batting, went 8-for-16 over the weekend with a homerun, a triple and two doubles. Stalf scored five runs herself and batted in nine RBIs, while picking up 47 putouts defensively. Sammi Gilbert, who saw action as a pinch hitter, also batted at .500 and scored one run for the Jacks. Freshman Dani Randall started all five games for her collegiate debut, batting .438 with four doubles, nine RBIs and three runs. Jennifer Sizemore registered a 2.31 ERA in the two games she appeared in from the circle. 

"All in all, it was a good showing," said Cheek. "We didn't embarrass ourselves in any way. When our pitchers got in a tight spot, they got out of it for the most part. We also made some good throws. I thought our outfield performed up to expectations."

Best of West Tournament team
Reid and Stalf both earned All-BWI tournament team recognition after both knocked balls out of the park at the tournament in Turlock. Reid finished the weekend with a .600 average while Stalf finished at .500.

Toro Notes

Cal State Dominguez Hills claimed three wins over the weekend against Western Washington (6-0), Metro State (2-0) and Dominican (5-1), but lost to host Cal State Stanislaus 2-1 and Cal State San Marcos 3-2. As a team, the Toros only bat .273, but have two players batting over .400. Jessica Hall leads CSUDH from the plate, batting .438 over the five games. In 16 appearances at the plate, Hall has registered seven hits, including two doubles, and four RBIs. Khryssi Steele follows closely behind Hall with a .412 average, also registering seven hits with a double and an RBI.

Stephanie Jimenez and Lauren Harper have dominated the circle for the Toros, collectively posting a 0.78 ERA. In 13 innings, Jimenez has only allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out 18 batters. Harper appeared in four games for CSUDH, posting 17 strikeouts while giving up 13 hits and three earned runs to bring her ERA to 1.07.

"CSUDH is a good team," said Cheek. "We know their pitchers well. They have a good pitching staff of girls who can throw the ball."

Injury Report

Courtney Hiatt has been nursing a knee injury but was able to hit over the weekend. She should be ready to go behind the plate for  the Jacks this weekend.

Cheek's Comments

"I felt we hit the ball well over the weekend. I was pleased that Reid hit the long ball, she's been hitting the ball well. Same with Vivieros and Stalf, they hit the ball well. Kirsten Nouzovsky had a good second day. Those girls carried us. ... As soon as Hiatt heals, she'll come along too. ... Glad to have beaten CSUMB. They're a good team. San Francisco State is a lot like us. They're a good hitting team, but not as strong in pitching. ... We won four out of five which gives our young pitchers confidence. They need experience. ... A 4.67 ERA is not going to win many ball games. It's not acceptable if you want to get into the hunt. ... I think we're ready to play. The mistakes we made over the weekend were minor. We played good, conservative softball."