ARCATA, Calif. – Following a strong opening weekend, Humboldt State softball jumps right into conference play with four games at Cal State Monterey Bay. The Lumberjacks (5-1-1) and Otters (5-2) played a total of seven times last season with Monterey Bay taking three wins in the regular season and two in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament before the Jacks claimed the NCAA West Region meeting.

"There's no doubt it was a good start and really gave us an opportunity to gauge where we are at," said Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "It's Monterey now, they are our rivals. The girls are extra pumped up. We know our league is tough, and this Dixie State Tournament has really helped us prepare for anyone in this region that wants to come at us."

The Green and Gold already has two games under its belt this season against ranked opponents after defeating #2 Dixie State and falling to #22 West Texas A&M. The Otters, ranked #25 in the Preseason NFCA Division II Softball Coaches Poll, swept Dominican University on opening day before traveling to Las Vegas for the Desert Stinger Classic. After dropping both games to open the tournament, Monterey Bay rebounded to win the final three by a combined score of 30 to 6.
 
"They have lost a bulk of their team, including reining MVP Cori Reinhardt," said Sarchett. "They are always strong. Just with the rivalry, even if it was an off-year for one us, I expect this series to be very spirited."
 
Three of the conference-high five First Team All-CCAA performers from last year's title-winning Monterey Bay squad remain on this year's roster.
 
Games are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.