SAN MARCOS, Calif. – It wasn't easy, but the Humboldt State softball team wrestled a doubleheader split away from Cal State San Marcos Friday Afternoon. The Lumberjacks dropped game one 6-4 and held off a Cougar rally to secure an 8-7 win in game two.

"We just have to do a better job working as a team," said HSU Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "It is a struggle right now, no doubt, but we have to work together or it isn't going to get any better. We all just have to trust in each other. Once we do that we will start being more successful.

San Marcos overcame a 3-1 deficit to defend its home field in the series opener. Lexee Sheiring tossed 4.0 innings and allowed four earned runs on eight hits, but Sam Sarmiento took the loss after she surrendered two unearned runs in 3.0 innings of relief.

WIth the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars took advantage of a wild pitch and passed ball on consecutive at-bats to plate the go-ahead and insurance runs.

"Our defense had a rough today and gave San Marcos extra opportunities that we just can't afford," said Sarchett. "We put up enough runs on the board to win but we allowed too many extra opportunities."

HSU tallied eight hits off San Marcos starter Caitlin Vinyard, but the righty yielded just one extra-base hit, a solo bomb to slugger Rylie Carlier. Carlier's home run was her third of the season.

Carlier, Lona Dengler and Winona Vigil registered multi-hit outings in game one.

The Jacks bounced back with a vengeance and plated seven runs through the first four frames of the second game. Micaela Harris belted a solo homer and a triple to drive in a pair and Carlier crushed a two-run shot in the fourth.

Vigil doubled to left centerfield to put HSU up 8-2 in the fifth, a run that proved to be the difference.

San Marcos scored five runs on nine hits, including four in the seventh, to threaten the visitors down the stretch. Jasmine Hill battled through the start en route to the complete game victory. The senior gave up seven runs, all earned, on 14 hits, and she improved her record to 3-2.

The series resumes Saturday at 11 a.m.