ARCATA - The road has been a good place for Humboldt State softball over the opening two weeks of the year. The No. 1-ranked Lumberjacks will try to build upon their best start in six years with their third long road trip.

     HSU saw its season-opening 11-game win streak snapped last Friday in the second game at Cal State San Bernardino. The Jacks did comeback to take the two Saturday games for three wins of the four-game series.

     The North Coast team will complete its almost 20-game opening road swing this weekend with more games over three days. HSU will face off with one of the other California Collegiate Athletic Association co-leaders, Cal State Monterey Bay for Friday and Saturday doubleheaders, before wrapping up the weekend with two more contests versus Dominican University held at San Francisco State Softball Field.

Complete Notes Packet

HSU leaps to top national holds advantage in series

     For the first time in six years, HSU sits atop the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll released on Wednesday morning.

     The Jacks leaped from their No. 4-rated spot to the top ranking following the team's 12-1 start over the past two weeks.

     HSU received seven of the 16 first places votes and 390 points ahead of West Texas A&M (11-0), which garnered eight top votes and 382 points to move from eighth to second.

     Rounding out the rest of the top five are No. 3 Alabama-Huntsville (8-2), No. 4 Grand Valley State (0-0) and No. 5 Armstrong Atlantic State (7-3), which was voted the final first place choice.

     The Jacks were last rated No. 1 in all of Division II came when the program won the 2008 National Championship. HSU also claimed the 1999 National Championship and has made six National Championship appearances including last season with a No. 5 finish and 53-14 record.

Hollingsworth earns second CCAA honor

     A week after winning it for the first time, Hollingsworth belted her way to the CCAA's Player of the Week honor for Feb. 10-16. The freshman pounded out seven hits in 16 at bats for a .438 average with six runs, two doubles, four home runs and nine RBI.

     The San Leandro native helped then No. 4-ranked HSU claim three wins in four games opening CCAA play at Cal State San Bernardino.  In the series opener, Hollingsworth lined a three-run round-tripper in the first, before adding her second homer in the seventh, a solo shot, to give the Lumberjacks a 7-5 lead in the eventual 8-5 victory. Tiffany doubled and scored the team's first run in a comeback, 12-6, win to start last Saturday's twinbill. The second baseman wrapped up the four-game set with a two-run third inning home run and a three-run shot in the sixth frame as part of a 9-4 victory.

     After the opening two weeks of the season, Hollingsworth leads the CCAA with six home runs, 18 runs scored and 18 RBI, while second in hits (20) and slugging percentage (.935). She has a .435 average with hits in 12 of 13 games and RBI in 10 those games.

Walker enjoying leadoff spot

     After batting second behind HSU All-American Chrissy Stalf, Tonya Walker is enjoying moving into the leadoff spot this year.

     The senior leads the CCAA in hits (21) and stolen bases (6), while second in runs scored (17) and third in on base percentage (.552). She also rates fifth in batting average (.447) with three homers and six RBI.

     The centerfielder hit .533 last week with an 8-for-15 four-game series at CSU San Bernardino. Walker has lined at least one hit in 11 of the team's 12 contests with five-straight multi-hit games.

Jacks series vs. Otters 

     HSU holds a 20-15 overall series lead against its CCAA opponent, Cal State Monterey Bay, for this weekend's four-game set.

     Last season in Arcata, HSU won the series by a 3-1 margin.

     Mar. 9, 2013 Gm. 1: HSU 9-1 / Gm. 2: HSU 10-9

     Mar. 10, 2013 Game 1: CSUMB 4-3 / Gm. 2: HSU 8-3

Scouting the Cal State Monterey Bay (7-2/3-1 CCAA):

     The Otters received three votes in the new AFCA Top 25 Poll after a strong season start. Coming off a 27-28 season, CSUMB was picked 4th in the CCAA Preseason Coaches poll but did receive two first place votes. 

     • Posted a 3-1 mark at Sonoma State last week with 3 wins (7-2, 6-5 and 7-4) after dropping a 4-3 opening decision

     • Tied with HSU for top batting average of .351 and 2nd in doubles with 21

     • Team holds a 2.95 ERA for 4th in CCAA

     • P/INF Bianca Noriega is the Otters' star. She leads the team with a .467 average and a 2.33 ERA in four pitching appearances.

     • RHP Lindsey Clarkson is 4-0 with a 2.40 ERA over 23.1 IP

Scouting the Dominican University (3-4/0-0 PacWest):

     The Penguins have won three of seven games of the year, all played against CCAA member teams. Dominican lost its last three games including a twinbill at Sonoma State (6-0 and 11-8).

     • HSU won the doubleheader last Mar. 13th (5-0 and 11-3) and hold a 6-1 series lead

     • Kayleigh Klingberg holds the team's top average of .533 and the Penguins' lone two home runs in 15 at bats.

     • P Ashlyn Moriarity is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA in the circle.

-GoJacks-