By a single run, HSU missed its first four-game CCAA sweep last weekend. The Jacks could not get the Friday afternoon engine started, dropping the first game, 1-0, before outscoring San Francisco State, 21-9, in the next three contests for the final three victories.

HSU hopes to take Lumberjack Field for first time

     After two weekends of playing at nearby McKinleyville High School, HSU will take its home dirt this weekend for the first time. 

     With a 6-2 mark at their 'home away from home,' the Jacks will play for the first time at the HSU Softball Field with its newly minted outfield fence to add to the beauty of its setting with Friday starting at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. against Cal State East Bay.

     The four-game weekend and St. Patrick's Day matinee on Monday starting at noon against Cal Baptist will wrap up HSU's 14-game home stretch and its longest of the year.

HSU climbs one spot in national rankings

     Following its second 3-1 weekend in a row, HSU was rewarded by seeing it climb one spot in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association top 25 poll to sixth up from seventh.

     The Jacks' rise to sixth stopped a two-week drop to fourth and then seventh. HSU received 313 points this week.

     By winning all three of its games, West Texas A&M (23-2) garnered 13 of the 16 first place votes to remain for the third week at No. 1.  Alabama-Huntsville (17-3) held steady at No. 2 with one first place vote and 377 points. Cal Baptist (20-7) earned the other two first place votes for third.

     Armstrong Atlantic (15-5) and Augustana (SD) at 12-2 are No. 4 and 5 with 346- and 336-point totals.

     After No. 6 HSU, St. Mary's (TX) 28-4 mark moved into No. 7 with Wayne State (MI) at No. 8 and North Georgia and Tampa tying for No. 9 to complete the top 10.

     The CCAA's UC San Diego fell from No. 11 to 20 after splitting its four games last weekend. Cal State Monterey Bay (17-4) made its first Top 25 appearance at No. 16 after receiving votes the past few weeks.

Randall powers her way to CCAA Player of Week

     HSU's Dani Randall's much-needed power surge aided her team to win the final three games last weekend over San Francisco State to earn the CCAA Player of the Week award.

     The junior powered her way to home runs in each of the then No. 7-ranked Lumberjacks' victories. 

     Over the four-game series, the San Jose native registered six hits in eight at bats in the final three games of the series after going hitless in the first game. Randall hit .545 with three homers, a double, seven RBIs, three runs and a 1.455 slugging percentage.

     The Randall selection marks the fifth time in the 2014 season for a HSU softball player and second week in a row. The Jacks swept the Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week awards a week ago with Tonya Walker and Katie Obbema.

     In each of the three HSU wins, the outfielder recorded two hits with her first two-hit game being a home run and single to finish Friday's twinbill. Randall started off the Jacks' successful Saturday sweep with a bottom of the first inning grand slam. She added a run-scoring double later in the game in a 7-6 victory. In the series ender, Randall posted her third home run, a single and a run in game four.

Jacks series vs. Pioneers 

     HSU holds a 75-32 overall series advantage against this week's CCAA opponent, Cal State East Bay.

     Last season in the Bay Area, the Jacks swept past the Pioneers in four games to snap a two-year run of losing the season series.

     Feb. 15, 2013  –  Gm. 1: HSU 6-2 / Gm. 2: HSU 9-2

     Feb. 16, 2013  –  Gm. 1: HSU 5-4 / Gm. 2: HSU 10-2

     Hannah Williams had five hits, homered and picked up two pitching wins. Liz Perez fanned 14, seven per game in the two other wins in the circle. Julie Pena added five hits, two doubles, a home run and six RBIs.

Scouting Cal State East Bay (8-14/5-11 CCAA):

     The Pioneers snapped a four-game skid on Tuesday when they took a doubleheader from Holy Names by an 8-0 six-inning and 5-4 final scores. Last weekend in the CCAA, now No. 16-rated Cal State Monterey Bay took all four games from Cal State East Bay. The Otters allowed the Pioneers to score only one run in four games (2-1 in game one) with three shutouts and outscored their visitors, 18-1.

     • Recorded a 17-35 record in 2013 and 11-25 CCAA record

     • Last in CCAA with a .258 batting average, 9th in hits (141) and 8th in runs (88 or 4.0 rpg)

     • Stand 9th in ERA at 4.36

     • OF Lauren Vestal leads the team with a .403 average, six doubles and 16 RBIs.

Scouting No. 3 Cal Baptist (20-7/11-5 PacWest)

     • In what could be the top matchup of teams this week, the No. 3 Lancers will visit the North Coast for a St. Patrick's Day special twinbill. 

     • HSU holds a 3-1 advantage in the series vs. Cal Baptist

-Teams split the 2013 doubleheader 

    Gm. 1 - Cal Baptist 10-5; Gm. 2 - HSU 14-3

     • Despite splitting six games last week, the Lancers maintained their No. 3 ranking and gained two first place votes

     • CBU has three players hitting at least .400 leading its team

-OF Marshean August leads at .430 with 8 HR and 31 RBIs

-SS Krista Mann sits at .427 with 8 HR and 29 RBIs

-OF Jordan Mowatt is hitting .405 

     • Belinda Renne is 14-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 60 Ks pitching.

-GoJacks-