Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ARCATA – The matchup of the West Region's top two teams lived up to the hype on Monday afternoon. No. 3 California Baptist edged No. 6 Humboldt State in the seventh inning of each end of the doubleheader, 10-8 and 4-3.
 
With one out and the bases loaded, the Lancers' Ashley DeVaere hammered an offering over the center field fence for a grand slam. The visitors held HSU (24-9) in check to record the 10-8 opening win.
 
Tied after six innings, Cal Baptist (24-7) used three singles and a walk to manufacture a run. The Lancers worked out off two Lumberjack runners on second and third with one out situation in the bottom of the frame to seal the 4-3 win.
 
"They're the No. 3 team for a reason. We expect to see them again at the regional tournament," said HSU head coach Shelli Sarchett. "These two games could have been won and went either way, but just didn't go our way today."
 
The two Jacks' losses were the first time they were swept this season.
 
Game 1
 
The afternoon could not have started better for the home team.
 
After retiring Cal Baptist in order, Dani Randall was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the day's first tally. Sarah Fox followed with a two-run single to center for a 3-0 lead.
 
The Lancers put a pair on the board in the third, before Julie Pena lofted a two-run round-tripper to left field to score Randall, who singled, to make it 5-2.
 
Cal Baptist added two more scores in the top of the fourth on DeVaere's first homer of the game. HSU had the answer, though, as Pena drew a bases load walk and Randall scampered home on a wild pitch to bring the game to 7-4.
 
Following a third two-run visitor at bat in the sixth, Pena tripled off the right field fence to score Randall for an 8-6 total.
 
The two-run margin was not enough after DeVaere's grand slam.
 
HSU starter Katie Obbema had her season-high of eight strikeouts, but allowed 10 earned runs in her overall roughest outing.
 
"Katie had a rough day against a Cal Baptist good hitting team. She'll have to go back to the drawing board and adjust next time she faces them," explained the HSU coach.
 
Pena tripled and homered with 4 RBIs as the top HSU hitter. Andrea Chavez added a double and two singles. Fox and Randall lined a pair of singles each.
 
Game 2
 
Following a hitters game, the late game came out a bit more of a gritty pitchers dual.
 
The Lancers struck in the top of the first as their first three batters singled to record one run.
 
Leading 1-0 in the third, Cal Baptist tacked on an unearned score to double the margin.
 
In the home third with one out, Tonya Walker belted a one-out solo home run to left field. Darian Harris and Tiffany Hollingsworth followed with singles. Randall joined them after being hit by a pitch to load the bases.
 
For the second time in two games, Fox slashed a two-run hit to put HSU in front, 3-2.
 
Cal Baptist was able to take advantage of some sloppy HSU fielding to tie the game, 3-3, with a fifth-inning score.
 
The game remained tied until the visitors pushed home what would be the game-winner in the top of the seventh.
 
In only her second complete game of the season, the Jacks' Liz Perez scattered nine hits, two earned runs and walked two, while fanning six.
 
"Liz threw seven innings and she hasn't been able to do that to this point," noted Sarchett. "We made mistakes we should never have made with our experience, especially in the infield."
 
Walker contributed a single to go with her sixth homer of the year. Hollingsworth doubled and singled. Harris and Fox had two hits.
 
HSU will try to get back on track this weekend. The Jacks will play at the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. for the next California Collegiate Athletic Association four-game set starting Friday at 1 p.m.