LOLETA, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt earned the series win after splitting Saturday's doubleheader with Central Washington University. The 'Jacks took game one in extra innings with a final score of 2-1 and were defeated in game two by the Wildcats with a final score of 8-3. Humboldt resides at 6-12 overall while Central Washington now sits at 9-10.
GAME ONE: The first four innings saw a pitchers duel between
Gaige Garcia and Ashlee Laver of Central Washington, as neither one allowed a run. It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth inning that the Lumberjacks struck the scoreboard first.
Tessa Poirier singled down the right field line to get things going.
Anna Brondos pinch ran and advanced to second on a
McKenna Beach sac bunt.
Micaela Harris singled in the deep 5-6 hole that put runners on the corners, then proceeded to steal second base.
Ciera Pyle hit a grounder to the shortstop and even with the infield playing in, Brondos was able to advance home and put the 'Jacks up 1-0. Central Washington scratched a run across the board in the top half of the sixth after a fielding error by the shortstop made it a 1-1 ball game.
With placing a runner on second base due to the rule for extra innings, Allie Thiessen of Central Washington rolled over on a ball to advance the wildcat runner to third base. The Lumberjacks grabbed the momentum when
Ciera Pyle caught a fly ball and threw out the Wildcat runner at home for a highlight and momentum changing double-play. It only took one batter in the bottom of the eighth to get the job done, as Harris singled up the middle to drive in
McKenna Beach and complete the walk-off victory. The 'Jacks took game one with a final score of 2-1.
NOTABLE STATS
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Micaela Harris went 2-for-4 with an RBI and stolen base; she also had the walk-off single up the middle
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Shelby Shanks and Tessa Poirer each went 1-for-3
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Ciera Pyle had an RBI
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Gaige Garcia picked up her third win of the season after throwing a complete game and not allowing an earned run
GAME TWO: Vanessa Saltos put Humboldt on the board after she hit a double off the left field wall to drive in
Shelby Shanks. Each team scratched a run across the board in the third inning. While Humboldt held a 2-1 lead, Alyssa Benthagen of Central Washington tied the game in the top of the fourth with home run to deep left field. She then singled in the top of the sixth to give the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. Another
Vanessa Saltos clutch hit tied the game after she singled to left center field and drove in
Anna Brondos, tying the game at three heading into the final inning. The wheels fell off in the final inning for the 'Jacks as they allowed the Wildcat offense to score five runs on four walks, two hits, and one error. Despite falling in the final game of the series with a score of 8-3, the Lumberjacks left the weekend with a series victory over Central Washington.
NOTABLE STATS
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Katlyn Gifford led the team in hits, going 3-for-3 for the game
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Vanessa Saltos had two hits, one being a double, and also had two runs batted in
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Shelby Shanks,
Kristin Ingram,
Izzy Starr, and
Ciera Pyle all recorded a hit
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Alyssa Smokey got drawn the loss, while Isabel Womack of Central Washington picked up the win
UP NEXT
The 'Jacks are back in action for another non-conference matchup this Wednesday as they host Dominican University for a doubleheader. Game times are currently set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Bear River Sports Complex in Loleta, Calif.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, please visit
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