ARCATA – It has been 38 days since Humboldt State hosted a home softball game. After having played 24 games on the road, the Jacks will finally get to play on their own field as they host a four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association series against San Francisco State on Friday and Saturday.

HSU was originally going to play Notre Dame de Namur in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday, but due to the amount of rain that poured over the weekend, the field will not be ready in time. The games between the Jacks and the Argonauts have been rescheduled for Sunday, April 22, starting at 1 p.m. in Belmont.

The Jacks are hungry for wins as they enter this week's games with a 12-29 overall record, 4-22 in conference. Both HSU and SFSU come off participating in the big Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus, with San Francisco State standing at 12-24 overall, 5-17 in conference.

Head-to-Head

Humboldt State has beaten San Francisco State 100 times and lost 26 times. Last year, the Gators prevented the four-game sweep by claiming the last game. The Jacks had won 6-2, 8-3 and 4-3, but fell 6-1 in the final game of the series.

Live Stats

Fans can follow the four games through live stats on http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/softball/scoreboard.aspx.

Life on the road

Humboldt State has played 37 of its 41 games on the road, and it has taken its toll on the team.

"Due to the nature of our field and its availability, it's been a long year," said head coach Frank Cheek. "I'm not using it as an excuse, but it is a factor in our performance. You play better at home. I know our administration is working on the problem."

An astroturf field is in the beginning stages, something Cheek thinks is a necessity for his team to actually be able to host games.

"If any field in California should be astroturfed, it's Humboldt State," said Cheek. It's inappropriate that our young ladies have had to play under these conditions."

Forecast

With rain eminent on Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are predicted to be cloudy and in the lower 50s, with a lesser chance of precipitation. If the field at Humboldt State isn't ready for games to be played on it, the games will be adjusted and the changes will be announced on the hsujacks.com website.

Lumberjack Notes

Other people seem to share the same sentiment and express their well wishes to Cheek, giving Cheek hope of hopping out of the slump.

"I'm encouraged by people I don't even know who give me inspiration, saying, 'You'll bring it around Coach,'" said Cheek.

The Jacks have the potential to turn around the last stretch of the season and end it on a high note. Seven batters for Humboldt State are hitting at .300 or better, led by Chrissy Stalf with a .411 average. 

"You've got to give credit to the players who hang in there every week knowing that seven runs doesn't guarantee a victory—or even a four-run lead in the last inning with two outs," said Cheek. "That's pressure. We have better ball players than our record shows."

Stalf ranks in the fourth position in the CCAA in both batting average and on-base percentage (.503). Her 51 hits also rank in her in the conference, putting Stalf with the third most hits.

Stalf hit three home runs last week to bring the Jacks' homer total to 48, compared to the 25 home runs from opponents. Alicia Reid leads Humboldt State with 11 home runs, tying her for third in the conference. The discipline and great eye of Reid has earned her 24 walks, the second most in the CCAA.

Dani Randall (.336) is currently tied for seventh in the conference with 35 RBIs and tied for third with 12 doubles.

Gator Notes

San Francisco State comes off a successful 4-2 record at the Tournament of Champions. The Gators beat both Central Washington and Notre Dame de Namur 5-4, as well as grabbing wins against Hawaii Hilo (4-2) and Northwest Nazarene (10-8). Grand Canyon and Montana State Billings defeated SFSU 4-3 and 5-3, respectively. ... Kelsey Murakami and Jenna Wermes lead the Gators with very similar batting averages. Murakami's .383 average has a .001 margin above Wermes' .382 average. ... As a team, SFSU has hit seven home runs, but has given up 30. ... Marisa Ibarra leads the team from the circle with a 2.71 ERA and has struck out 76 batters.

"Ibarra carries the load for SFSU," said Cheek. "They have 3-4 good hitters that can keep them in the game, as well. It'll be a good series."

Cheek's Chit Chat

"There was a time when we went to the Tournament of Champions and we were the most feared team there. Unfortunately, in a short amount of time, we've fallen from grace. Where does the fault lie? With the head coach. It's his responsibility to coach, recruit, fundraise and schedule games, and I'm fully aware of it. ... If I have another season like this, it's certainly an indication that it's time for me to step down and let someone younger to assume the post. ... It saddens me that we've sunk so low when we were held in such a high esteem. Words cannot describe the sadness for myself, the team and alumni, in that order. ... It's evident that we must enhance our pitching staff. At times, we look like a National Championship team. Hitting-wise, I feel we're as good as anyone in the country. Defensive-wise, we're hot and cold. We have some young players at key positions making rookie mistakes. They'll be better next year though."