MCKINLEYVILLE – After posting six runs in the first two innings of the first game, Humboldt State couldn't keep the momentum moving forward and ultimate fell in both games, 9-8 and 11-3, to Cal State East Bay.

GAME ONE BOX
GAME TWO BOX

The losses drop the Jacks to 14-33 overall, 6-24 in California Collegiate Athletic Association action, while the Pioneers improve to 29-20 on the season and 15-15 in conference.

Heading into the weekend's games, Humboldt State had a collective 57 long balls, needing seven to break the school's record for single season home runs (current record: 63) and eight to break the CCAA's record (current record: 64). Alicia Reid and Courtney Hiatt brought those records even more within reach, each knocking one out of the park.

Reid's home run started the Jacks off in the first game, drilling the ball over the left field fence to put HSU up 1-0 in the first inning. Reid picked up another RBI in the bottom of the second after her single down the left line sent Felicia Viveiros in for the score. Kirsten Nouzovsky doubled to center field, giving Reid the chance to round the bases and put the Jacks up 3-0.

Chrissy Stalf singled deep to right field to allow Nouzovsky to tack on another HSU run, before Hiatt's home run cleared the fence to put the Jacks up 6-0, feeling confident heading into the top of the third.

Not ready to give up, Cal State East Bay plated two runs off three hits to keep the Pioneers back in the game, and after holding the Jacks scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, put together a powerful fourth to take the lead. CSUEB scored six runs off five hits, including a two-run homer, and two critical errors to take a 8-6 lead.

Once again, the Pioneers held the Jacks in the bottom half of the fourth to step up to the plate once again. Cal State East Bay gave itself a small three-run cushion after five and a half innings, scoring one run off two hits.

Unhappy with the Pioneers taking their lead, the Jacks stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth determined to cut the lead. Hiatt (3-for-4 in first game) doubled to center to start the inning. With two outs, Viveiros ended her hitting drought with a powerful double to left field to send Hiatt home and make it a 9-7 game. Sarah Fox singled to right field to join Viveiros on base, but the Jacks left them stranded as CSUEB picked up the final putout.

In the bottom of the sixth, Stalf doubled to left field to start a two-out rally. Megan Wink pinch ran for Stalf and scored off Hiatt's double to left field, but the run proved to be the last one for the Jacks to end the game 9-8 in favor of the Pioneers.

In the nightcap, the Jacks held the Pioneers scoreless in the first two innings with the help of a crucial catch in left field by Serena Aragones to end the first inning with bases loaded.

Humboldt State struck first in the bottom of the second, plating one run off two hits. Tonya Walker found the hole just out of reach of the Pioneer's shortstop's arm for a base hit. With two outs, Dani Randall drilled her pitch to deep right center, sending Walker in to score. Randall made it to second, but was called out by the bases umpire, claiming she stepped off second base.

Cal State East Bay answered with two runs of its own off three hits in the top of the third, and boasted another multi-run inning in the top of the fourth by scoring five runs off five hits and two errors. With two runners on base, the Jacks caught one runner stealing, but couldn't pick up two more outs before the Pioneers scored their runs to put CSUEB up 7-1.

Nouzovsky walked and Stalf took a pitch to the back, putting two runners on base to start the Jacks' chance on offense in the bottom of the fourth. The two took advantage of a wild pitch, advancing a base each to put themselves that much closer to scoring. Viveiros sent the pair in by singling to right field, keeping the Jacks in the game at 7-3.

The Pioneers took the game out of reach for the Jacks, however, scoring two runs in the top of the fifth and another two runs in the top of the sixth. With the eight-run lead, Cal State East Bay put the pressure on Humboldt State to score at least one run in the bottom of the sixth to extend the game.

The Jacks couldn't put a hit together, however, ending the game 11-3 after six innings.

Humboldt State returns to McKinleyville High for its last two "home" games of the season Sunday morning, starting at 11 a.m. The doubleheader will give the Jacks a chance to honor five seniors (Kirsten Nouzovsky, Sammi Gilbert, Alicia Reid, Felicia Viveiros and Ally Blenis), hoping to honor them in with a doubleheader sweep.