ROHNERT PARK – Sonoma State held Humboldt State scoreless in the first three games of the California Collegiate Athletic Association series, but couldn't grab a sweep against the Jacks. After falling 6-0 in the first contest of Saturday's doubleheader, a three-run rally in the top of the fourth lifted the Jacks 4-2 over the Seawolves in the nightcap.

With the split, Humboldt State stands at 8-13 overall, 2-10 in conference action, while Sonoma State sits 16-5 overall and 8-4 in the CCAA.

Much like the day before, the Seawolves scored in their first appearance at the plate of the day. Sonoma State scored two runs off two hits and a defensive error before the Jacks could make the third out to end the inning.

Humboldt State had a chance to answer and find its first runs of the season in Rohnert Park in the top of the third. Alicia Reid walked to get on first, followed by a single from Chrissy Stalf (4-for-6 on the day). With two outs, Samantha Lipperd's pitch went rogue and hit Felicia Viveiros to load up the bases. Lipperd redeemed herself by striking out the next batter to keep the Jacks scoreless.

The Seawolves tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth off two hits to put the score at 3-0. Humboldt State held SSU scoreless the next innings, with Randall, Reid and Jennifer Sizemore making defensive stops to keep the Jacks in the game. 

Starting to feel the pressure, the Jacks couldn't hold the Seawolves in the bottom of the sixth and gave up three runs, including a home run from Ali Palermo. With only one out and a runner on second, Humboldt State knew it needed to find two more putouts before Sonoma State scored two runs to get one more chance at the plate. Reid made a crucial catch off a line drive and connected with Kirsten Nouzovsky to complete the double play.

Finding themselves in a 6-0 hole, the Jacks needed to come up big offensively in the top of the seventh, but they couldn't find their footing in the box and went down in order off three strikeouts from Lipperd.

Determined to get something out of the four-game series, the Jacks came out swinging in the nightcap—grabbing hits in the first three innings—but couldn't grab the first runs of the game. Sonoma State struck first once again, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third. Nouzovsky initiated a double play, making a great catch before tossing the ball to Stalf to end the inning.

Only down 2-0, the Jacks responded in the top of the fourth, led by a double down right field from Stalf. Randall followed with another hit, singling to center, to put the tying runs on base. Felicia Viveiros stepped up to the plate and found the hole in left field to grab an RBI off her single as Stalf scored the Jacks' first run of the series. 

With bases loaded, Nouzovsky grounded into a double play as the Seawolves prevented Randall from tying the game up for HSU, but left two runners on base with two outs. Sarah Fox blasted a double just right of center, sending Viveiros and Courtney Hiatt in to give the Jacks the 3-2 lead.

Humboldt State held Sonoma State in their next two innings at the plate, putting out the Seawolves in order both times, to make its way back on offense in the top of the sixth. Nouzovsky found the sweet spot on her bat and ripped the ball over the fence in right center to add an insurance run for the Jacks.

"The home run was critical," said head coach Frank Cheek. "It put us up 4-2 so they had to play for two runs instead of one."

Just like the previous two innings on defense, Humboldt State took down the Seawolves in order with smart defensive stops by the infield.

In the top of the seventh, Stalf drilled a pitch from Lipperd, dropping at the last second to remain in the park for a double. Sonoma State completed the third out before Stalf could tack on her own insurance run, heading to the plate trailing 4-2.

Needing three outs to secure the win, Humboldt State took the field in the bottom of the seventh. After the Jacks made the first out, the Seawolves put two runners on base in hopes of tying up the game. Not willing to give up the victory, Andrea Chavez scooped up a ground ball, tossed it to Nouzovsky at second for the first out. Nouzovsky connected with Stalf to complete the double play and end the game at 4-2 in favor of HSU.

"We were fortunate to get the win today," said Cheek. "It was a costly win because we may have lost Jessica George for a while after she injured her arm in the nightcap."

The Jacks head back to Arcata to brush up at practice before they hit the road again to face another CCAA opponent, Cal State Monterey Bay, next weekend.