ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State softball travels to Turlock, Calif., to take part in the annual Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State. The Lumberjacks will play five games in three days beginning with Montana State Billings Friday at 9 a.m.
A non-conference road trip might be just what the Green and Gold need to get back on track after last week's series versus Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers outscored the home team 9-2 in back-to-back games on Saturday before earning the series win with a 5-2 victory in the finale. HSU got an impressive pitching performance from Taylor Proctor in game three and avoided a sweep to their Northern California foe.
"The good thing that is happening is that the girls aren't getting down," said HSU Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. "We know it's a rough season and we have to get some things fixed inside the circle. They're fighting through some adversity right now, keeping their heads up and staying strong."
The Jacks have lost six of their last seven games and have been unable to muster the same offensive production as they created in a doubleheader versus Notre Dame de Namur two weeks ago. As a team, the Green and Gold are batting .287 which ranks seventh in the CCAA. Senior outfielder Illa Haley hit .444 in the series versus East Bay, and junior first baseman Mariah Tovar drove in four runs and hit a pair of homers in four games against the Pioneers.
HSU has won the Tournament of Champions numerous times in recent years, but this weekend will be more about improving than taking home another title.
"We have to look to the future and continue to build and progress," said Sarchett. "They're showing us what we have for next year. We are going to lose four very important seniors, but for the underclassmen, it's about showing us what they are going to bring for the future. It's not easy, but we want these girls to continue to work hard."
The Jacks will open with Montana State Billings followed by Concordia (Ore.) on Friday. The Yellowjackets are 7-14 overall and have lost three of their last four games, while the Cavaliers have won five straight. Azusa Pacific and Holy Names (Calif.) await the Green and Gold on Saturday, and Hawaii Hilo will face the North Coast squad Sunday. The Cougars have a 12-12 mark and have lost three in a row entering tournament play with early season losses to San Francisco State and Chico State. Holy Names has reeled off five consecutive victories on its way to a 9-12 record, and the Vulcan have posted an impressive 21-9 overall mark.
"This tournament is nice because you can step away from the pressures of conference play," said Sarchett. "It's nice to see somebody else and scout other teams we don't get to see as often. Not play four games against the same opponent. Hopefully better weather, which we'll take over rain at this point."
