MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – Humboldt State softball used the long ball Friday afternoon to secure a doubleheader sweep of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
With the victories, HSU improved to 16-1 overall and 11-1 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play.
In the series opener,
Sydney Roberts put the Jacks ahead with a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the first. HSU struck again just two batters later with a two-run bomb off the bat of
Breonna Bejaran.
Sloppy defense by HSU allowed the Toros to put up three runs in the top of the second leaving the game tied 3-3.
"Our defense let us down in the first game," said Head Coach
Shelli Sarchett. "If we want to continue to play at the level we are expecting, then we have to have the confidence in ourselves on the field."
A three-run double by
Kelly Sonnemann highlighted a five-run third inning for the Jacks giving them an 8-3 lead. In the bottom of the fourth Bejaran struck again with her second home run of the game, giving her a team-leading seven on the season.
The Green and Gold run ruled the Toros in six innings following a two-run single by
Tiffany Hollingsworth, with the final score being 14-5.
Game two saw the Jacks completely switch gears, putting together a solid defensive performance throughout.
Kalyn Paque went all eight innings for the Jacks giving up two runs on seven hits and fighting her way out of tough spots in late innings. HSU entered the bottom of the seventh trailing 2-1 before a double by Bejaran tied the game at 2-2.
Paque ended the top of the eighth with her ninth strikeout of the game after Dominguez Hills was able to get runners on second and third with no outs, before having three straight batters retired.
"Kalyn had a pretty gutsy pitching performance," said Sarchett. "She put herself in a hole late in the game but the team never put their heads down. Bejaran and Paque both came up with big hits in the final innings."
Paque carried that momentum into the bottom of the eighth as she ended the game on a walk-off homer to left center field.
The Jacks return to action tomorrow with two more games against Cal State Dominguez Hills on the slate. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at McKinleyville High School.
