Box Score STOCKTON, Calif. – Hannah Williams blasted a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel Humboldt State past Sonoma State, 7-5, and into the California Collegiate Athletic Association Softball Tournament Championship for the second year in a row.
 
In the midst of a trying season, Williams drove the first pitch she saw from the Seawolves' Amanda Llerena, the CCAA Pitcher of the Year, over the right field fence for the game-winning two runs.
 
"It's about time. It has been a rough year (for me) and it's time I made a difference. Julie (Pena) has been stepping up for us and I wanted to do something to help the team the best I can," said Williams.
 
The Williams' round-tripper was her first home run since March 22 at CSU Dominguez Hills and seventh on the season.
 
"I am just so proud of this team and the way they step up each day," said HSU Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "Hannah has had a rough season. I texted her a quote from Hank Aaron this morning about when you are in a slump to just keep swinging as the team believes in her. I am so proud of her as she never gives up."
 
The HSU win was its sixth victory in seven meetings against Sonoma State (36-20). The Jacks victory puts the North Coast team into the CCAA Tournament Championship contest for the second year in a row and gives them a chance to repeat as tournament champions. HSU (45-13) will face the winner of the two Saturday elimination games between Cal State Monterey Bay, Sonoma State and UC San Diego starting at noon.  A second game will be played if HSU loses in the first contest 30 minutes after the first game.
 
The Jacks were not without other outstanding performers. Julie Pena provided the majority of the other runs and half of her team's hits. Pena crushed two home runs including a two-run shot, a double and three RBIs.
 
"Pena is coming on strong when we need her and all her hard work is paying off," said the HSU coach.
 
Tiffany Hollingsworth added a RBI double and Darian Harris had a bunt single for the two other Jacks hits.
 
In the circle, Katie Obbema was called upon to take the ball in relief of starter Liz Perez and came up with a solid outing. Over the final 3.1 innings, Obbema (23-7) allowed one earned run, which ended her streak of no earned runs at 33.2 innings, and picked up her second win in as many days.
 
"We have a strong pitching staff where we are able to go to any of our three pitchers for them to back one another up," said Sarchett.
 
In what turned out to be a high-scoring first inning, Sonoma State's first three batters reached base, before Amanda Rosetta lined a two-run single for a 2-0 lead.
 
HSU answered in the bottom of the first. Tonya Walker drew a leadoff walk and Harris laid down a hard bunt single, before Hollingsworth laced a run-scoring double to left field. Following Hollingsworth, Pena stepped to the plate and crushed a full-count pitch over the center field scoreboard for a three-run homer to take a 4-2 Jacks' advantage.
 
Tied at four in the home sixth, Pena connected on her second homer, a solo shot, to give HSU a 5-4 margin. Sonoma State's Aubrie Tolliver lofted a deep sacrifice fly to score the tying run, 5-5. The Seawolves then held the Jacks scoreless in the home seventh to force extra innings.
 
In the bottom of the eighth with two outs, HSU's Sarah Fox drew a four-pitch walk. As the next Jacks hitter, Williams did not wait to see a pitch as she belted the winning walk-off homer on the first offering for the 7-5 win.
 
Sonoma State recorded 14 hits to HSU's six on the afternoon. The Jacks produced five extra base hits of their six hits.