STOCKTON, Calif. – A strong pitching performance by Sonoma State's Amanda Llerena resulted in Humboldt State softball's elimination, 4-2, from the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Saturday. 
 
The Lumberjacks moved to 45-5-1 overall and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. HSU entered the Tournament ranked No. 1 in the NCAA West Region and will likely be a regional host. Regional play begins Thursday, May 5.
 
The Seawolves struck first and took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Alee Balanon reached on a one-out single and came home on a triple to right field off the bat of Jordann White.
 
Despite a lead off base runner in each of the first three innings, HSU was unable to connect with Llerena and match Sonoma on the scoreboard. The Seawolves ace limited the Green and Gold to one hit through four frames.
 
Sonoma added a run in the fourth as Balanon grounded a ball under the glove of HSU starter Madison Williams and into centerfield to score Lindsey Calcany-Blair who had singled earlier in the inning.
 
Hanna Holland trimmed the Sonoma lead to one in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Holland tapped a ball to second base to bring home Illa Haley. Sydney Roberts and Haley powered the Jacks' run-scoring effort with base hits in the inning.
 
It took just one swing of the bat for HSU to even the score in the sixth. Tiffany Hollingsworth swatted her team-leading 12^th home run to left field to even the score. The long ball came off a belt high pitch from reliever Mayleen Mazon.
 
The Seawolves retook the lead with two runs in the top of the seventh. Strycula swung at a third strike, but reached first on a wild pitch. She moved to second on a single and came home after a failed pickoff attempt resulted in a missed tag at second, allowing Strycula to score and Balanon to reach second. Sarah Langley fired a double to right centerfield for the game's final run.

Williams took the loss, her second of the season. She allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out six.
 
HSU will learn the next step in its postseason journey Monday, May 2. The NCAA Tournament selection show will air at 7 a.m. PT, and fans can watch it live here.
 
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