TURLOCK, Calif. – In a thrilling offensive showdown, Cal Poly Humboldt (9-4) battled Saint Martin's (6-4) in a game that saw multiple lead changes before the Jacks ultimately fell 8-7 in the final inning on a Saint's walk-off on Sunday morning at Pedretti Park.
The Jacks struck first, putting two runs on the board in the opening inning. Shelby Shanks doubled to right center to bring home Hailee Moore, followed by an RBI double from Alyssa Smokey to give Humboldt an early 2-0 lead. However, Saint Martin's responded with a run in the bottom half to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Humboldt extended its lead in the third when Smokey launched a two-run homer to center field, scoring Shanks to make it 4-1. The Saints answered right back, plating two runs in the bottom of the inning to keep the game within reach at 4-3. A single from Heather Ebner in the fourth tied the game at 4-4, setting up what was a thrilling finish.
The Jacks surged ahead once more in the fifth inning with a two-run rally. Smokey delivered again with an RBI single, and Vanessa Saltos followed with a clutch hit down the right-field line to bring in another run, giving Humboldt a 6-4 advantage. But Saint Martin's had an answer once again, scoring three runs in the sixth, highlighted by an Ebner solo home run, to take a 7-6 lead.
Not going down without a fight, the Jacks tied the game in the top of the seventh when Saltos came through with a double to right center, scoring Bridgette Boling to knot the game at 7-7. However, the Saints found the decisive run in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single from Shelby Lawson, sealing the victory for Saint Martin's.
Smokey led the Jacks offensively, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs, including her first home run of the season. Shanks also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. In the circle, Smokey started the game and went four innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out two. Mason Hatton (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs in the sixth inning, and Gaige Garcia pitched the final 1.1 innings.
Humboldt finished with 11 hits in the game but could not overcome Saint Martin's 13-hit attack. The Jacks will look to bounce back, as they head into conference play next weekend with a 9-4 overall record.
Up Next
Cal Poly Humboldt returns to action on Friday, February 21 for their CCAA Home Opener against San Francisco State (11-3) at Humboldt Softball Field. Friday's doubleheader is set to begin at 12:00 PM. The four-game series against the Gators will continue on Saturday with another doubleheader that is set to begin at 11:00 AM.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms.
