Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SEASIDE – One hit made all the difference. Humboldt State was unable to get a needed hit in Friday's opener in the visiting seventh, before a three-run homer was the key hit in the late contest.
 
Trailing 3-2 with one run in and the bases loaded, Cal State Monterey Bay's Cori Reinhardt was able to get the final out to edge No. 1-ranked HSU in the day's opener. The Lumberjacks bounced back with a first-inning Hannah Williams three-run home run to spur an eventual 6-1 victory in the nightcap.
 
The four-game opening split kept the two California Collegiate Athletic Association teams tied at 4-2 in the league.
 
Tiffany Hollingsworth laced a pair of doubles and a single with Darian Harris adding a double and two singles at the plate.
 
The Jacks' (13-2) sophomore pitchers, Katie Obbema and Liz Perez, posted strong outings. The two scattered 15 hits over 13 innings with one earned run.
 
"Our pitching threw well today and did their job. We just have to give them the continued support they need," said HSU head coach Shelli Sarchett.
 
Game 1
 
HSU wasted no time in getting a score on the board. Tonya Walker singled to center field, was sacrificed to second and came home on Hollingsworth's hit to center for a 1-0 lead after a half inning.
 
The score stayed at 1-0 until the home fourth.
 
The Otters (8-3) took advantage of what would be a costly two-base Jacks outfield error. The miscue would lead to two runs on two hits to go ahead 2-1.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay added a third run on a bases loaded free pass to make it 3-1 after five frames.
 
In the visiting seventh, Hollingsworth doubled to right center to leadoff the inning. Sarah Fox and Williams walked to load the bases with two outs. Andrea Chavez brought home one run on a fielder's choice, before Reinhardt fanned the final out for the 3-2 final.
 
"It was a tough loss in the first game," said Sarchett. "We didn't hit the ball like we are capable. We had the opportunity to take the lead in the seventh with the bases loaded, and we didn't come through. Sometimes that happens."
 
Obbema (7-1) took her first mound loss of the year with one earned run and six hits.
 
The Otters outhit HSU, 6-3, in the game.
 
Game 2
 
HSU took to the offense in the top of the first for the second time.
 
Following singles from Harris and Dani Randall, Williams belted her fourth round-tripper of the year to left center for a 3-0 lead.
 
"In the second game, we attacked right off the bat, but then we settled. We need to never let up especially with a good team like Monterey Bay," explained the HSU coach.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay cut into the margin with a run on three singles for a 3-1 tally after one inning.
 
The score remained unchanged for five innings until the top of the seventh.
 
With one out, Walker and Harris singled. Randall made it three hits in a row to drive home Walker. After the second out, Hollingsworth laced her second double of the day to right center to score the other two HSU runners to open a 6-1 advantage.
 
After five quality innings by Perez, who earned the win, Obbema saved her third game with two scoreless innings to complete the victory.
 
"In the seventh, we finally made the adjustment and made it hurt. We finished off strong and hope to continue into tomorrow," said Sarchett.
 
Harris had a three-hit game, and Williams singled to go with the three-run homer.
 
The two CCAA rivals will conclude the four-game set on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
 

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