Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 McKINLEYVILLE – In less than ideal conditions amidst various periods of rain throughout the day, Tonya Walker blasted a bottom of the sixth three-run home run to help Humboldt State split with Chico State on Sunday.
 
With the hardest rain of the day falling, the visiting Wildcats gained the final upper hand with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to edge out an 8-7 first game win. In another back-and-forth affair, Walker's homer capped a five-run home sixth for an 11-8 Lumberjacks victory in game two.
 
"It was great to come back in the second game like we did," pointed out HSU head coach Shelli Sarchett. "It was a tug-o-war kind of day.  Neither team was willing to give in in either game. We would score and they would answer right away and vice versa. What we have to do is when the chips are down. We have to focus and trust ourselves and our abilities."
 
The senior pair of Walker and Sarah Fox were the hard-to-retire Jacks of the day.
 
Walker reached base in eight of her nine plate appearances with a 3-for-4 day. All three of the centerfielder's hits were extra base hits with a pair of doubles to go with the three-run home run. She also drove in six runs, scored twice, drew four walks and was hit by a pitch.
 
Fox produced a 5-for-6 afternoon with a double, two runs and five RBI.
 
For the team, No. 4-ranked HSU (18-5/8-4 California Collegiate Athletic Association) snapped a three-year series-losing streak to Chico State (7-10/5-7 CCAA) by taking three of the four weekend contests.
 
Game 1
 
HSU went on the offensive with four runs in the home second.
 
Tiffany Hollingsworth doubled and Julie Pena walked, before Fox doubled the day's first run home. The Jacks added two more runs when Darian Harris and Dani Randall had an RBI each as they were hit by a pitch and walked with the bases loaded for a 4-0 lead.
 
Leading 4-2, Walker doubled in Alison McKibbon, who was hit by a pitch, in the fourth.
 
Chico State's Alex Monlina blasted a grand slam to put her club ahead, 6-5, in the top of the sixth.
 
Leading off, Walker was hit by a pitch the home sixth and was sacrificed to second. Randall belted a ball high over the left field fence to put HSU back on top, 7-6.
 
Following a leadoff single and one out, the Wildcats' Desiree' Gonzalez hit her team's second homer to center field to edge ahead, 8-7.
 
Fox singled in the bottom of the seventh, but could get no further offensive help to end the game.
 
Hollingsworth doubled twice to go with Fox's double and single.
 
Game 2
 
Keeping with the first game theme, the late contest continued more momentum swings.
 
Walker doubled home a pair of runs in the second and Fox a two-run single in the third for a HSU 4-3 lead.
 
For the fourth inning in a row, Chico State put runs on the board with three to push back ahead, 6-4.
 
Fox singled and McKibbon doubled to open the home fifth. After two outs, Harris pulled a line drive over the first base bag for a two-run double to tie, 6-6.
 
The deadlock did not last long. Chico State inched back in front with two unearned sixth inning runs, 8-6.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Hannah Williams and Hollingsworth drew walks to start the inning and were sacrificed to second and third. Fox continued her hot day with a solid single to left field to tie the game again, 8-8.
 
With Fox still on base and Andrea Chavez, who walked, joining her with two outs, Walker connected for her fourth round-tripper and 11-8 lead.
 
Katie Obbema took over after one batter in the top of the seventh to induce a double play and pop out for the final out to save her fifth game.
 
Madison Williams improved to 5-0 on the year. The freshman logged 2.1 innings where she allowed two hits, no earned runs and fanned a pair.
 
Walker drove in her season-high five runs on the double and home run. Fox accounted for four other RBI with three singles. Harris' two-run double had the other two RBI.
 
The Jacks will look for better weather this week to continue their home stand and first appearance at Lumberjack Field. HSU will entertain San Francisco State in a four-game series starting Friday, March 7 at noon.