ARCATA, Calif. - Humboldt State softball opens its California Collegiate Athletic Association schedule versus San Francisco State this weekend.

The Lumberjacks open the four-game road trip with a doubleheader Friday beginning at noon. The series wraps with a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 11 a.m.

HSU begins CCAA play following a trip to Las Vegas for the annual Desert Stinger Tournament. The Green and Gold went 2-3 against some of the nation's top competition and ran their record to 3-4 overall. Wednesday's National Fastpitch Coaches Association top 25 poll ranked the Jacks 20^th in the nation, one spot behind last week's standing.

Despite the team's losing record in the Tournament, second-year Head Coach Shelli Sarchett is excited about her team's ability to stand toe-to-toe with any challenger.

"We are fine," said Sarchett. "It might have hurt us in the rankings, but who cares about the rankings. We don't care how we start - it's how we finish. So this weekend was just a good chance to see where we are. I tried my best to get players into games for random reasons to see how they competed, and I got a chance to throw my other two pitchers in situations. I am really excited about these girls and once we click, we will be good."

Montana State-Billings tripped up HSU, 6-3, in game one of the Desert Stinger Tournament. The Green and Gold led 3-0, before surrendering six unanswered to the Yellow Jackets. Tiffany Hollingsworth followed up a two-hit, two-RBI performance in game one with two more hits in the nightcap against Central Washington. The Wildcats pounced on sophomore pitcher Madison Williams for three earned runs and captured the 10-3 decision.

Day two featured a pair of bounce back opportunities for HSU, and it took advantage of the chance to run its Tournament record even at 2-2. Williams rebounded in a relief appearance in the early game against Western Oregon. The Brentwood, Calif., native pitched 4.2 innings and yielded three runs to keep the Jacks in the ballgame. HSU rallied from an 8-2 second-inning deficit to secure an 11-9 victory. Newcomers Breonna Bejaran and Hanna Holland slapped round-trippers in the sixth frame to put the Green and Gold on top. HSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in a 9-2 game two win versus Augustana. Dani Randall and Holland combined for six of HSU's 13 hits in the game.

Ace Katie Obbema had a strong performance in Sunday's finale, but HSU came up short, 2-1, against Dixie State. Obbema logged six innings, allowed a pair of runs and struck out a Red Storm batter.

"We are only going to get better by playing the best," said Sarchett. "We learn from tight games, from the struggles, and we struggled. I would much rather lose a close game against top competition than blow out a bad team. I want the girls to learn something about themselves and say, 'I can compete against these guys. We are good. We are a pitch or a play away'."

Holland's addition to the HSU offense has Sarchett excited about the possibilities of speed at the top of her lineup - something the Green and Gold have not had in recent memory.

"I'm still learning how to take full advantage of her speed," said Sarchett. "I had runners on first and second during a game, and I believe Julie hits a ball to the fence - a double. Normally my runner on first just makes it to third. As I'm waving on Hannah, I realized I could continue to send her. She is fast. She went on to score from first base. We haven't had that kind of speed, so I am learning a different style. Speed will always be there at the top of the lineup, even when the power is missing."

The Oakdale, Calif., native swiped four bases over the weekend and boasts a .607 on-base percentage to start the season. Holland also flashed power at the plate and has shown her ability to drive the ball with a pair of home runs.

San Francisco State was stung by visiting Hawaii-Hilo Wednesday afternoon and carries a 1-7 record into this weekend's series. The Vulcans outscored the Gators 17-2.

"We can't just sit back and expect four wins against San Francisco State, you have to play seven innings each day. As much as we are still trying to find out about our team, we have to win," said Sarchett. "There won't be so much experimenting this weekend. At this time, we're ready to go unless somebody is really struggling."

Sarchett hopes last weekend's road trip was a wake up call for her team, and that it will not suffer a let down regardless of the opponent. Last season, the Gators stole the series-opening game, 1-0, from the Green and Gold at home. HSU picked up three-straight wins to close out the series.