TURLOCK, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt softball split its Saturday doubleheader at the Tournament of Champions, falling 2-0 to Dominican before rallying late for a 5-3 win over Menlo College. The Lumberjacks were held scoreless in game one despite matching the Penguins in hits, marking their first shutout loss of the season. However, Humboldt bounced back in the nightcap, erasing a two-run deficit with a three-run sixth inning to secure the victory.
Game 1 - Dominican 2, Cal Poly Humboldt 0
Humboldt Falls to Dominican in Saturday Rubber Match
Cal Poly Humboldt's softball team was unable to break through offensively in game one on Saturday at the Tournament of Champions, falling 2-0 to Dominican University of California on Saturday afternoon at Pedretti Park.
The Jacks (8-3) matched the Penguins (6-3) in hits with five apiece, but two runs proved to be the difference in the tightly contested matchup.
Dominican struck early in the first inning, capitalizing on a passed ball that allowed Annabelle Burke to score a run. The Penguins extended their lead in the fifth, when Burke singled through the left side, bringing home Kate Tobola. A fielding error allowed Burke to advance to second, but Humboldt avoided further damage.
Despite multiple scoring opportunities, the Jacks struggled to capitalize, leaving seven runners stranded. Freshman pitcher Rayna Ponce (0-1) made her first start of the season and pitched five solid innings, allowing just five hits and a pair of runs (one unearned) while striking out two. Alyssa Smokey took over in relief, keeping Dominican hitless over the final two innings with one strikeout.
Offensively, Humboldt saw contributions from Bella Garcia, Vanessa Saltos, Alyssa Ramirez, Lauren Asia, and Hailey Meisenbach, who recorded the team's lone extra-base hit with a double in the third inning. However, Dominican pitchers Nay Torres-Gonzalez (2-1) and Kassidy Stetler (Save, 2) combined to shut out the Jacks, scattering five hits over seven innings.
The loss marks Humboldt's only shutout defeat of the season.
Game 2 - Cal Poly Humboldt 5, Menlo College 3
Cal Poly Humboldt Rallies Late to Defeat Menlo College
A late-game surge powered Cal Poly Humboldt softball to a 5-3 victory over Menlo College on Saturday night at Pedretti Park. The Lumberjacks improved to 9-3 on the season, securing their third win of the tournament behind another complete-game performance from Gaige Garcia.
Garcia (4-2) went the distance for the second time in the tournament, holding the Oaks to three runs—only one earned—while striking out five over seven innings of work. She scattered eight hits but remained composed in the circle, shutting down Menlo over the final two frames.
After trailing 3-1 heading into the sixth, Humboldt's offense found its rhythm. Katlyn Gifford led the way with two hits on the night, while the Lumberjacks strung together timely at-bats to push across three runs in the sixth. Alexa Garcia started the rally with an RBI single, followed by a clutch hit from Marissa Brody to tie the game. Alyssa Smokey then worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home the go-ahead run.
Gifford added an insurance run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, giving Garcia extra cushion to close out the game. The senior pitcher forced a groundout to first base to seal the victory.
Cal Poly Humboldt collected 10 hits in the contest, with Bella Garcia, Vanessa Saltos, Lauren Asia, and Alyssa Ramirez also contributing to the offensive attack. The defense overcame four errors to support Garcia's standout effort in the circle.
The Lumberjacks will look to continue their strong start to the season as they return to action on Sunday morning against Saint Martin's University for the final game at the Tournament of Champions. First pitch is set for 9:30 AM. No live stream is provided at this site, but you can follow along the live stats by clicking here.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms.
