Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SAN FRANCISCO – After being elevated to No. 1 in Division II softball, Humboldt State found the target on itself to be pretty big. The Lumberjacks suffered a rough weekend by their standards by splitting two games for the third day in a row.
 
The Jacks left 10 runners on base and couldn't get a key hit to fall to the Penguins of Dominican University, 2-1, in the opener. HSU bounced back due to key hits from Darian Harris and Cyndi Chavez to pull out a 6-4 victory in game two.
 
"It was a rough weekend. We learned a lot about ourselves. We are going to come home and spend some time working out the mistakes we made both physical and mental," explained HSU head coach Shelli Sarchett. "Katie (Obbema) and Maddie (Williams) threw well today. We just didn't give Katie the support she needed."
 
Game 1
 
After stranding three runners in the first three innings, a Sarah Fox single loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth frame. The home Penguins (6-5) would get out unscathed with a fielder's choice in a force out at home and a foul out to end the threat.
 
Dominican rode the momentum to three singles, which resulted in a pair of runs to go ahead 2-0 after four innings.
 
In the top of the fifth, Hannah Williams singled to left field to plate Harris, who reached on a fielder's choice to cut the game to 2-1 with one out. Dominican retired the side on a line out double play on the next HSU batter.
 
Hannah Williams added a second hit of the game with no outs but was left at first to end the game.
 
"In the first game, we didn't get the key hit. We were very anxious up to bat and not staying within ourselves," pointed out Sarchett.
 
Fox recorded a 3-for-3 game, all singles, of HSU's seven hits.
 
HSU (15-4) saw 10 runners left on base, which did not help Obbema's cause in the circle. The sophomore pitcher (8-2) gave up five hits and two earned runs and three strikeouts.
 
Game 2
 
HSU struck first in the second. With two outs, Cyndi Chavez singled to center to bring home Tiffany Hollingsworth, who reached on an error, for a 1-0 lead.
 
The game remained unchanged until the fifth frame. Cyndi Chavez singled a second time to center and Andrea Chavez reached on a Dominican throwing error. After an out, Harris sliced a two-run double to left center. Hollingsworth drove a hit up the middle to later score Harris. Pinch runner Hailee Watilo for Hannah Williams, who walked, scored on a throw to second base, while Hollingsworth was caught stealing for a 5-0 lead.
 
Dominican cut the difference to 5-2 with a pair of runs on three hits in the home fifth.
 
In the top of the seventh, Walker drew a walk, stole second and trotted home on a Dani Randall sac fly for an insurance run and 6-2 tally.
 
Madison Williams started, left and came back to save her own win in the bottom of the seventh. After two Penguins runs, she returned to the mound. The freshman enticed a double play and a line out to third to leave the game-tying run on base for the 6-4 win.
 
"In the second game, we were a little more aggressive on the bases and manufactured runs until we got the key hit," added the Jacks coach.
 
Harris finished with a double, single, two RBI, one run and a stolen base, while Cyndi Chavez singled twice with a RBI.
 
After three weekends and 19 games in the books, HSU will open its 2014 home schedule next weekend.
 
"We are excited to be at home for the next three weekends, in front of our home crowd and on our own dirt. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate," concluded Sarchett.
 
The Jacks will entertain rival Chico State in four-game California Collegiate Athletic Association series starting at noon on Friday.