SEASIDE – After falling 8-0 in six innings in the first game, Humboldt State rallied to grab an 11-7 lead over No. 6-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay heading into the Otters' last chance at bat. With two outs, the Jacks couldn't grab the third out and surrendered five runs to lose the game 12-11.

GAME ONE BOX
GAME TWO BOX

With the losses, Humboldt State stands at 8-17 overall, 2-14 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. CSUMB, on the other hand, jumps to 22-4 overall and 14-2 in conference action.

The Otters came out swinging in the first inning, posting a two-run rally with two outs. CSUMB posted 10 hits led by Cori Reinhardt who went 3-for-3 in the game. Reinhardt gave an equally good showing in the circle for the Otters, limiting the Jacks to three hits.

Kirsten Nouzovsky, Chrissy Stalf and Dani Randall were the only Jacks to register hits, each grabbing singles, but it wasn't enough to put Humboldt State on the board. 

Heading into the bottom of the fourth and up 4-0, CSUMB ended the game early as it scored four runs off four hits. Reinhardt initiated the inning with an in park home run. With bases loaded and only one out, Nikki Rodriguez singled to put the otters up 6-0. Only needing two runs to grab the win and not give HSU a chance at bat, Angelina Orozco doubled to send in those two runs and secure the 8-0 victory.

Shaking the earlier game off, Alicia Reid started the night cap off with a home run to left field on her second pitch—her seventh homer of the season. Stalf and Randall both walked, but the Otters grabbed three outs before the Jacks could put more runs up on the board.

Cal State Monterey Bay responded in its first at bat of the game, scoring one run off two hits. Nouzovsky grabbed two unassisted putouts to end the inning and make her way to the plate for the Jacks.

Nouzovsky gave Humboldt State the lead once again in the top of the second, powering a pitch over the fence at right center for her fourth home run of the season. The next three Jacks went down in order, keeping the game tight at 2-1 in favor of HSU.

Once again, CSUMB answered with a tying run in the bottom of the second. Bases loaded up, giving the Otters a chance at taking the lead for the first time, but Tonya Walker made the catch in left field for the third out to end the inning.

While neither team scored in the third, the fourth posted a flurry of runs, starting with Humboldt State. The Jacks scored seven runs off four hits and took advantage of an error from the Otters. Nouzovsky walked to start the inning. Andrea Chavez sacrificed a bunt to advance Nouzovsky to second, and reached on base after Danielle Onken threw away the ball at first, allowing Nouzovsky and Chavez to move up an additional base.

Sarah Fox stepped up to the plate with two runners on and no outs, doubling down the left field line to send in both runners. Sammi Gilbert pinch ran for Fox and was joined by Walker after she singled to right field. Reid flied out, but Gilbert tagged the base to score off the sacrifice fly. Randall singled up the middle to score Walker and advanced to second on the throw. Felicia Viveiros joined Randall on base off a walk, and both rounded the bases as Courtney Hiatt sent the ball sailing over the fence at center for a three-run home run.

Cal State Monterey Bay also posted a multiple-run inning in its chance on offense, plating four runs off three hits. The Jacks kept the lead, however, heading into the fifth up 9-6.

Ally Blenis, pinch running for Fox, took advantage of the Otters' sloppy play in the top of the fifth to add to the Jacks lead. Blenis stole second and advanced to third off a throwing error from CSUMB's catcher. In the same play, Blenis made her way in for the run as the Otters' center fielder added another error off her throw.

After giving up one run on defense in the fifth, the Jacks took to the plate in the top of the sixth and added another run to give Humboldt State a 11-7 lead heading into the last inning of play.

The Otters kept the Jacks scoreless in the seventh, feeling the pressure as they made their way to the dugout needing four runs to tie the game and keep it alive. Humboldt State started off with two walks to give CSUMB hope of a comeback. The Jacks put out the next two batters to add to the pressure, but surrendered a run in the process. 

Now needing three runs to tie the game, Nina Villanueva singled to send in a runner, bringing the game within two at 11-9. The Jacks could not find the third out to secure the win and prevent the sweep, suffering a devastating three-run homer from Onken to hand over the victory to the Otters.

Humboldt State will face another ranked team as they take on the No. 22-ranked UC San Diego Tritons in a four-game CCAA series. The games were originally scheduled to be held in Arcata, but will instead be played at UCSD's campus on Tuesday, March 13, and Wednesday, March 14. Times are still to be determined.