ARCATA, Calif..---  The Humboldt State Lumberjacks started their four-game weekend home series with No. 5 Chico State with a doubleheader split with the Wildcats at HSU Softball Field.  The Lumberjacks took the opener 4-2 with Danica Grier and Izzy Starr going a combined five-for-six, driving in three runs and scoring twice.  Taylor Culp (1-2) picked up the win while Lexee Sheiring recorded her first save of the season.  The Wildcats took the night cap 15-2. 
 
GAME ONE:  Chico State took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Angel Lopez in the top of the second inning.  Humboldt State (4-9, 3-7 CCAA) tied the game in its half of the second. Izzy Starr had a one-out double and advanced to third after Mariah Tovar walked and Jenna Sobrero had a bunt single to load the bases.  Adriana Chavez singled home Starr to tie the game at 1-1.  HSU took a 3-1 lead after a two-run third inning.  Danica Grier had a lead-off single, went to second when Haley Suter walked.  They both advanced on a sacrifice by Katelyn Dendas.  With one out, Starr hit a two-run double to give HSU a 3-1 lead. 
 
The Wildcats cut the Lumberjack lead to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fourth inning.  The Lumberjacks added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Micaela Harris had a one-out single and went to second on a sacrifice by Lauren Lipe.  She stole third and scored on a run scoring single by Grier to give HSU a 4-2 lead.  Chico State cut the deficit to 4-3 with a run in the top of the seventh, but Lexee Sheiring came in and preserved the 4-2 HSU 4-2 lead.
 
GAME ONE LEADERS:  Taylor Culp (1-2) picked up the win, pitching 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs while walking four.  Lexee Sheiring pitched 0.2 scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit and striking out one.  Danica Grier went three-for-four while driving in a run and scoring a run.  Izzzy Starr went two-for-two and drove in two runs and scored a run.
 
Alani Nguyen and Karter Williams each had two hits for the Wildcats.  Brooke Larsen (5-1) suffered the loss for the Wildcats.
 
GAME TWO:  The fifth ranked Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a Sara Mitrano run scoring single.  Chico State (10-1, 5-1 CCAA) increased its lead to 5-0 with a four-run third inning keyed by a two-run home run by Drew Rodriguez.  The visitors took a 7-0 lead with a two-run fourth inning capped by a solo home run by Alani Nguyen.  The Wildcats increased their lead to 15-0 with an eight-run fifth inning. 
 
Humboldt State cut the deficit to 15-2 with a two=-run fifth inning, but Chico State took the night cap 15-2 to split the doubleheader.
 
GAME TWO LEADERS: Micaela Harris, Danica Grier and Lexie Sheiring each had one of HSU's three hits.  Megan Holt suffered the loss for the 'Jacks.  Sam Mulock (5-0) picked up the win for the Wildcats.  Alani Nguyen and Sara Mitrano went a combined six-for-six scoring five runs and driving in nine runs.
 
UP NEXT:  The four-game series will conclude on Saturday, February 22 with an 11am starting doubleheader at HSU Softball Field.