ATHERTON, Calif. – Strong pitching and timely hitting was the perfect combination as the Humboldt State softball team took two from Notre Dame de Namur Wednesday afternoon. The Lumberjacks won game one of the twinbill played at Menlo College, 7-5, and finished game two in five innings with a 9-1 victory.

"Today was a good day to start this week off," said HSU Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "With eight games on our plate this road trip we needed to create momentum, and that is what happened today. We hit the ball well today and created opportunities on the base paths. Our pitching struggled a little at first, but didn't let down and allowed our defense to do their job."

HSU had to rally in the first game after a rocky start. The Argos held a 5-1 advantage after three innings and a relief appearance from freshman Lexee Sheiring helped start the Jacks comeback. Sheiring limited Notre Dame De Namur to one run over 4.1 innings.

The North Coast squad scored in each of the game's final four frames, including three in the sixth. Freshman Micaela Harris swiped three bases and hit a two-run double in the sixth inning, and Halle Williams matched Harris' RBI total with two of her own in the 7-5 decision.

Sheiring finished with her fifth victory of the season and improved her overall record to 5-2.

The Jacks hit the ball early and often in game two. A fielding miscue put HSU on the board in the first and Rylie Carlier gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage with a run-scoring single in the second. An error on the first baseman helped HSU to a 3-0 lead in the third and Lauren Lipe groundout made it 4-0 two batters later.

HSU put the game out of reach with five runs on five hits in the fifth frame. Kelly Sonnemann had a two-run single in the inning, and Danica Grier and Amber Orchard each recorded an RBI.

Sam Sarmiento took the circle in the second game and tossed five innings of one-run ball. She improved her record to 1-2.

The Green and Gold face Cal State East Bay this weekend in Hayward. The series has been moved back due to a forecast of inclement weather, and HSU will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.