TURLOCK, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt Softball continued its red-hot start to the 2025 season, sweeping the opening day of the Tournament of Champions in Turlock with victories over Academy of Art and No. 24 Northwest Nazarene. Behind another dominant performance from reigning CCAA Player of the Week Alyssa Smokey in the circle, the Jacks secured a 2-0 win over Academy of Art before taking down the nationally ranked Nighthawks 5-1 in the nightcap. With the pair of wins, Humboldt improved to 8-2, marking its best start through 10 games since the 2017 season.

"I'm very proud of our team and how they are playing," said head coach Megan Corriea. "We faced some adversity today and I feel like we responded really well to it. Our pitchers Smokey and Gaige did awesome today in the circle and we had some timely hitting in game two from Alyssa Ramirez and a huge home run from Katlyn Gifford. These are great wins, but we need to get some rest and come out ready to go tomorrow against Dominican and Menlo so we can keep this momentum going."

Game 1 - Cal Poly Humboldt 2, Academy of Art 0

CCAA Player of the Week Alyssa Smokey Shines as Humboldt Secures 2-0 Shutout Victory

Behind another dominant performance from CCAA Player of the Week Alyssa Smokey, Cal Poly Humboldt Softball secured a 2-0 victory over Academy of Art on Friday evening at Warrior Field. The loss dropped Academy of Art to 0-7 on the season. Smokey (4-0) delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits while striking out three to keep the Urban Knights off the scoreboard.

With the win, Humboldt improved to 7-2 on the season, continuing its strong start. The Jacks' offense was efficient, capitalizing on key scoring opportunities to back Smokey's stellar outing in the circle.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings, Humboldt broke through in the third. Hailey Meisenbach led off the frame with a single and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Shelby Shanks, giving the Jacks a 1-0 lead.

Humboldt added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Alyssa Ramirez reached on an error and advanced to second, setting the stage for Bella Garcia, who delivered an RBI single to center field to extend the lead to 2-0.

That was all the support Smokey needed, as the senior retired the final six batters to seal the victory. She needed just 79 pitches to go the distance, keeping Academy of Art hitters off balance all evening.

NOTABLES

• Alyssa Smokey (4-0) tossed her second shutout of the season, allowing just four hits with three strikeouts in seven innings of work.
• Hailey Meisenbach scored a run, finishing 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk.
• Bella Garcia went 2-for-4 with a crucial RBI single in the sixth inning, driving in Alyssa Ramirez.
• Shelby Shanks provided a key sacrifice fly to open the scoring in the third.
• The Jacks played flawless defense, recording zero errors in the field.

Game 2 - Cal Poly Humboldt 5, #24 Northwest Nazarene University 1

Cal Poly Humboldt Stuns No. 24 Northwest Nazarene with Five-Run Fourth Inning

Cal Poly Humboldt delivered another statement victory on Friday night, knocking off No. 24 Northwest Nazarene 5-1 at Warrior Field in Turlock. The Jacks (8-2) used a dominant performance from pitcher Gaige Garcia and a game-changing fourth inning to claim their second win this season over a nationally ranked opponent.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Garcia (3-2) was in command from start to finish, throwing a complete-game gem. The right-hander scattered seven hits while allowing just one run, striking out six and walking two. She kept the Nighthawks (6-5) off balance all night, recording 115 pitches to go the distance.

The Jacks broke through in a big way in the bottom of the fourth. Trailing 1-0 after an RBI double from NNU's Kellcie Adams, Humboldt responded with a five-run outburst. Alyssa Ramirez sparked the rally with a clutch two-run single to center, putting the Jacks in front 2-1. Moments later, Katlyn Gifford delivered the knockout punch – a laser three-run home run that left the yard in a hurry, giving Humboldt a commanding 5-1 lead.

From there, Garcia took care of the rest. She allowed just one hit over the final three frames to seal the victory.

The Jacks finished with four hits on the night, but they made them count. Ramirez went 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Gifford's three-run blast was her first home run of the season and seventh of her career. 

UP NEXT
Cal Poly Humboldt will look to keep the momentum going as they continue tournament play in Turlock. The Jacks return to action on Saturday, facing Dominican (5-3) at 1:00 PM and Menlo (0-6) at 6:00 PM.