LACEY, Wash.--- Humboldt State Lumberjacks improved to 7-1 with a doubleheader sweep of the Saint Martin's Saints this afternoon in Lacey, Wash., taking the opener 4-1 and the night cap 12-4 (six innings). With the win, the Lumberjacks have extended their winning streak to seven and secured their second consecutive series.
Izzy Starr went five-for-seven, driving in five runs, scoring two runs and hitting two home runs and adding a triple to her day.
GAME ONE: The opener was a pitcher's duel between the Lumberjacks'
Emily McAdams and Saint Martin's Abby Runyon through the first three innings. Humboldt State broke that with a two-run fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Danica Grier had a lead-off single, went to second when Haley Sutter walked. She scored on a run scoring single by Starr which Suter advanced to third. Suter scored HSU's second run when the Saints threw out Starr at second on a steal attempt.
The visitors doubled their lead with a two-run fifth.
Jenna Sobrero had a lead-off walk, went to second when McAdams reached on a Saint Martin's fielding error. Both runners advanced on a successful double steal attempt and scored on a two-run double by Grier to give HSU a 4-0 lead.
McAdams (3-1) held the Saints scoreless until their last inning. Destiney Conerly had a lead-off bunt single and alter scored on a sacrifice fly by Malia Pinder. The Lumberjack starting pitcher induced the final Saint batter to ground out to Starr at third to preserve the 4-1 HSU victory.
Humboldt State had seven hits in the opener paced by the trio of Grier, Starr and
Vanessa Saltos who went a combined six-for-nine with two runs scored while driving in three of the visitors' four runs. McAdams picked up the win, giving up six hits and one run while striking out one and walking four.
GAME TWO:
Micaela Harris started the things for the 'Jacks in the night cap with a lead-off single. She stole second. McAdams walked to put runners on first and second. They each advanced a base on a successful double steal attempt. They came in to score on a two-out two-run single by Starr.
HSU increased its lead to 5-0 with a three-run second inning. Saltos had a lead-off double. With one out, Sobrero walked. Harris' one-out double brought in Saltos with the inning's first run. Sobrero scored when Grier reached on a two-out error. Humboldt State took a 5-0 lead when Harris scored as Grier stole second.
The Lumberjack added two more runs in the top of the third to take an 8-0 lead.
JoAna Mullins had a one-out solo home run to left field. The visitors added two more runs later in their half of the third to take an 8-0 lead. Starr's solo lead-off home run in the top of the fourth increased the guests' lead to 9-0.
Saint Martin's (10-12) cut the Lumberjack lead to 9-4 with a four-run fifth inning capped by a Julia Lucas single that scored Vanessa Smoke.
The Lumberjacks came right back with a three-run sixth to increase their led to 12-4. Starr had another lead-off solo home run. Mullins single went to third when Saltos reached on a fielder's choice. Both runners scored later in the inning on
Anna Brondos' two-run single up the middle.
Gaige Garcia retired the Saints in order in the bottom of the sixth as HSU took the night cap 12-4 and the doubleheader sweep.
Karen Di Dio (4-0) picked up the win, pitching three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one. Garcia finished off the game, pitching three innings, giving up six hits and four runs of which three were earned. Starr and Harris went a combined six-for-eight with four runs scored and six runs batted in between the duo. Mullins and Saltos each added two hits for the Lumberjacks.
HSU's seven-game winning streak is its longest since a nine-game winning streak in 2019. The Lumberjacks will finish off their three-game series with the Saints tomorrow at 1pm with a single seven-inning game in Lacey.
