DENVER – Humboldt State softball scored two early runs, but was unable to fend off an Armstrong State rally, which resulted in a 3-2 loss Thursday evening at Regency Athletic Complex.
 
Thursday's loss forces a rematch with the Pirates Friday, but the time is to be determined. The winner of the game will advance to a best of three championship series that starts Friday at 4 p.m. PT.
 
"It was a good game with a lot of hits and a lot of opportunities on both sides," said Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "We didn't capitalize on situations that were given to us like we have been doing all season long.  Tomorrow is a brand new day. I told my ladies we aren't done yet and the season isn't over."
 
Breonna Bejaran drove in the game's first run in the opening inning. Bejaran clubbed an RBI single to centerfield and scored Hanna Holland from second base after her lead off double.
 
The Jacks opened the second with a double from Kalyn Paque, and she came home two batters later on a Sydney Roberts run-scoring single.
 
Armstrong State evened the score with two runs in the bottom of the third. The Pirates recorded a pair of hits, including RBI singles from Michelle Breen and Peyton Roth.
 
A Hannah Reppert double combined with a throwing error during the following at-bat put the Pirates ahead 3-2 in the fifth.
 
Jane Trzaska followed up a two-hit against Adelphi with another strong performance versus the Green and Gold. She limited the Jacks to two runs on eight hits and earned her 19^th victory of the season.
 
Madison Williams was unable to duplicate her success against the Pirates in their second meeting. Williams surrendered nine hits and allowed three runs en route to her third loss.
 
"We have been here before, and it has been a long season," said Sarchett. "Not much needs to be said except to keep your head up, and we'll get them tomorrow. I have all the confidence in the world that tomorrow will be a different outcome."