LAS VEGAS – During the preseason Head Coach Shelli Sarchett preached the importance of her team taking the next step, and if that means scoring 22 runs in the Lumberjacks' first two games, then the team answered the call.
 
"Today was a great way to start season," said Sarchett. "To put up 22 runs and only give up three makes for a great day. It was nice being able to get almost everybody in both games. I thought our pitchers really made a statement in the circle, and it was again nice to see them all get some work. Our lineup came out swinging and never stopped. Of course, we will have little things to work on, but we will continue to get better and better everyday."
 
Humboldt State defeated Western New Mexico 12-1 in the five-inning season opener and followed it up with a 10-2 five-inning victory over University of Mary in the nightcap. Both games are part of the Desert Stinger Tournament hosted by Montana-State Billings in Las Vegas.
 
GAME ONE
(Humboldt State 12, Western New Mexico 1)
The Green and Gold offense was in midseason form in the season opener. HSU shelled Western New Mexico to the tune of 10 runs over two innings. A pair of two-run doubles from Breonna Bejaran and Illa Haley gave the Jacks a 4-0 advantage before they recorded their first out.
 
Tiffany Hollingsworth swatted a two-run homer in the third to put HSU ahead 12-0. The San Leandro native went 3-for-3 at the dish and drove in a team-high three runs against the Mustangs.
 
Madison Williams took the circle in the opener and fanned seven in 3.0 innings. Newcomer Jasmine Hill closed the game with a scoreless fifth inning, and Robin Johnson came on in relief and yielded Western New Mexico's only run.
 
GAME TWO
(Humboldt State 10, University of Mary 2)
Three home runs put HSU ahead in the six-run first inning of game two. Hollingsworth, Bejaran and Winona Vigil each provided base-clearing hits for the Green and Gold.
 
Hanna Holland slugged a solo homer in the second to continue the Jacks' power surge, and HSU added three more runs in the third and fourth frames.
 
Kalyn Paque got the game two start and logged 4.0 innings of work. The Marauders had just one run against the senior from Reno, Nev., while Paque recorded six strikeouts.
 
Freshman Sam Sarmiento tossed the fifth frame and surrendered one run on two hits.
 
Vigil and Bejaran accounted for six of HSU's 12 runs. Vigil tallied a pair of hits in three at-bats and drove in four, while Bejaran plated two runs on a double and a solo home run.
 
HSU returns to action Saturday against New Mexico Highlands and Augustana. First pitch against the Cowgirls is set for 4:30 p.m.