ARCATA, Calif. – For the first time since the 2013 season, the Humboldt State softball program is set to host a home series, on its home turf, in February. The Lumberjacks welcome UC San Diego to HSU Softball Field for a four-game series beginning Friday at noon.

The Green and Gold opened conference play with a series split versus Cal State Dominguez Hills. HSU lost both of Friday's games before rebounding with a Saturday sweep.

Rachel Barker, Rylie Carlier and Winona Vigil had impressive hitting performances against the Toros. Barker compiled an .833 batting average in two games, drove in four runs and hit a home run, and Carlier, a newcomer to the Jacks this season, added power with her first two homers of the season. Through the first nine games, Vigil leads HSU batters with a .500 batting average and the senior went 7-for-12 at the plate and finished with a team-high five RBI.

For the second straight weekend the HSU's young pitchers struggled, but the North Coast staff showed improvement. Lexee Sheiring started two games, went 1-1 and logged 11.1 innings, while Rachel Bennett matched Sheiring's record and tossed 12.0 frames. The Jacks compiled a 5.38 ERA in Carson.

UCSD split a home series with Sonoma State last weekend, and the Tritons are off to a 7-2 start overall. Freshman Sherriah Harrington is the team's top hitter and is batting .556 with 10 RBI and two home runs. The Tritons boast a dynamic running game and have converted 31-of-38 stolen base attempts to go with its .330 batting average.

HSU went 2-2 versus UCSD last season.