POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE

DENVER – Ninety-eight days. That's how long Humboldt State softball has been waiting to avenge an early season loss to West Texas A&M. The Lumberjacks got their wish and defeated the top-ranked Lady Buffs, 8-5, Wednesday in the Second Round of the NCAA Division II Softball Championships held at Regency Athletic Complex.
 
"Getting the win wasn't easy, and I have to give credit to West Texas A&M," said Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "I am really proud of how our ladies continued to fight today."
 
HSU used a five-run fifth inning to propel it to within one win of the championship series. The Green and Gold improved to 52-5-1 with the victory, and the Jacks extended their winning streak to seven straight.
 
The Lady Buffs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first when Ashley Hardin hit an RBI single to left field. Hardin finished the game with two hits, a walk and a team-best two RBI.
 
On the fifth pitch of her at-bat, Winona Vigil evened the score in the bottom of the first. The sophomore from Rocklin, Calif., smashed her second home run of the season over the left field wall and put the Jacks on the board.
 
Breonna Bejaran smacked a solo shot to right-centerfield to lead off the fourth, and a bobbled grounder to third base scored pinch runner Kelly Sonneman four batters later.
 
"After I hit the home run, I was super excited," said Bejaran. "I knew my team had my back. We are just trusting in our skills and our abilities. We are relaxing, having fun and playing Humboldt softball."
 
Leading 3-1 through four innings, the HSU bats erupted in the fifth and silenced the West Texas A&M faithful in attendance. The Jacks recorded three run-scoring hits from Tiffany Hollingsworth, Julie Pena and Kalyn Paque. Illa Haley swiped two bases in the frame and brought home a run on a squeeze bunt down the third base line. The fifth run of the inning came home on a Sydney Roberts' sacrifice fly to right field.
 
Katie Obbema got the start for HSU and, despite walking five Lady Buffs in the first five frames, showed veteran poise in the circle. The senior pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the first, second and fourth innings. Obbema tossed five innings and gave up four runs on her way to win No. 23. She walked eight, struck out eight and yielded seven hits.
 
"I just bear down and think about what is next," said Obbema about the pressure the Lady Buffs' offense applied during the game. "I make sure I am spinning the ball and going after the hitters. I know that I have to beat them before they beat me. West Texas A&M is a good team, but we all came through and got the win today."
 
The Jacks made a call to the bullpen in the sixth, and Madison Williams took over and displayed the same brilliance she flashed during Tuesday's win over Armstrong State. Williams logged 2.0 innings of relief and gave up just one run to the nation's top offense.
 
Hanna Holland, Vigil, Bejaran and Pena each recorded multi-hit performances for the Green and Gold.
 
The opponent for HSU's next game has yet to be determined. The Jacks will play Thursday, May 18, at 4 p.m. PT.