TURLOCK, Calif. – Humboldt State Head Coach
Shelli Sarchett demanded intensity from her softball team heading into this week's Tournament of Champions. And her players answered the call.
The Lumberjacks captured a pair of victories Friday as they kicked off the annual meeting of the West Region's best. HSU defeated Chaminade 5-3 in the opener and topped Western Washington 8-0 in five innings in game two.
HSU opened both games with big scoring innings and solid outings by
Madison Williams and
Katie Obbema brought the wins home. The Green and Gold opened game one with five consecutive hits and plated four runs in the first inning against Chaminade. A
Dani Randall RBI single highlighted a two-run first inning against Western Washington, which included a wild pitch that scored
Tiffany Hollingsworth from second base.
Hannah Williams helped the Jacks stretch their advantage to five runs against the Swords. She slapped an RBI double to left field and scored Hollingsworth who tattooed her own double two batters earlier.
Madison Williams fanned 11 Chaminade batters and went the distance in game one. She limited the Swords to a two-run second inning and another in the fourth – all three runs were earned. The Brentwood, Calif., ranks third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with 12 wins.
The Jacks added to their game-two lead and was able to wrap the non-conference meeting in five innings.
Breonna Bejaran slugged a three-run homer in HSU's five-run third inning.
Katie Obbema baffled the Viking hitters and allowed only one multi-hit frame. She struck out three and did not allow a walk en route to her ninth win of the season.
One notable streak ended and another continued Friday afternoon.
Darian Harris recorded a hit in game one, but was 0-for-2 with a walk in game two. Her CCAA record-breaking hitting streak came to an end at 28 games.
Hanna Holland extended her streak of consecutive games reaching base safely. The talented freshman from Oakdale, Calif., has reached base safely in every game this season (33).
The Green and Gold face the Cougars of Azusa Pacific in the nightcap that begins at 4:15 p.m.