ARCATA, Calif. ­– Humboldt State softball will advance to the NCAA Division II Super Regionals for the first time since 2013 after defeating arch rival Chico State, 5-0, Saturday in the West Region Championship game.
 
The Lumberjacks improved their record to 48-5-1, the team's best win total since the 2013 season. The Super Regional will be hosted by the Green and Gold and will begin Wednesday, May 11 at 3 p.m.

"Our team has been working hard since August, and we knew there was something special about these guys," said Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "It feels great to be back in the position we are in, and we aren't done yet."
 
Madison Williams tossed her ninth shutout of the season and limited the Wildcats to just three hits. She finished the game with seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk. With Saturday's win, Williams collected her team-best 23^rd victory.

"Maddie was able to keep them off balance," said Sarchett. "She started off great, we got some runs, and it seemed to fuel her and give her more confidence. Maddie did a really good job of keeping the ball down, getting ground balls and strikeouts when we needed them."
 
HSU tallied three hits in the second inning to score the game's first two runs. Sydney Roberts belted an RBI double to centerfield and scored Kalyn Paque, who hit a single to lead off the frame, to give the Jacks a 1-0 advantage. Hanna Holland slapped a run-scoring single through the left side two batters later and increased the lead to 2-0.
 
Chico State starter Haley Gilham was pulled from the game following Holland's single and earned the loss. She lasted just 1.2 innings, gave up five hits and two runs.
 
Two walks and a single loaded the bases for the Green and Gold in the third, before reliever Brooke Langeloh hit Roberts with a pitch. The bases-loaded hit by pitch gave HSU a 3-0 edge.
 
Tiffany Hollingsworth and Breonna Bejaran plated two more runs for the Jacks in the sixth frame. Hollingsworth hit a sacrifice fly and Bejaran fired a single through the left side. The pair finished the game with four of HSU's nine hits.
 
Not only did Bejaran provide a reliable bat, but she spent time behind the plate as well. After senior Darian Harris left the game with a right wrist injury in the third, Bejaran logged the final four innings at catcher – her natural position.
 
HSU will face either Azusa Pacific or Central Washington in the Super Regionals. The pair face off in their Regional Championship game Sunday at 11 a.m. PT due to inclement weather delays yesterday.