LOLETA, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt pushed No. 14 Cal State East Bay to the brink in a thrilling nine-inning opener on Saturday but fell just short in a 5-4 battle at Bear River Complex. The Jacks rallied twice, with Katlyn Gifford delivering a clutch two-RBI double in the sixth to even the score before the Pioneers plated the game-winner in the ninth. In game two, Alyssa Smokey turned in a dominant performance in the circle with eight strikeouts, but Humboldt was unable to capitalize offensively in a 2-0 defeat. 

Game 1 - No. 14 Cal State East Bay 5, Cal Poly Humboldt 4 (9 Innings)
Cal Poly Humboldt Battles #14 Cal State East Bay in Nine-Inning Thriller

Cal Poly Humboldt pushed nationally ranked No. 14 Cal State East Bay to the limit in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, but the Jacks fell just short in a 5-4, nine-inning contest at Bear River Complex.

The Jacks (19-13, 8-9 CCAA) put together an impressive effort against the Pioneers (23-5, 11-4 CCAA), rallying to tie the game twice before East Bay plated the winning run in the ninth.

How It Happened:

Cal State East Bay struck early with two runs in the top of the first inning. Humboldt responded in the second when Julia Rivera and Katlyn Gifford ignited the offense. Rivera scored on a Gifford RBI single, and Alyssa Ramirez followed with an RBI double to right center, tying the game at 2-2.

After the Pioneers reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning with two runs, Humboldt answered again in the sixth. Gifford came through in the clutch with a two-RBI double, scoring Hailey Meisenbach and Julia Rivera to even the score at 4-4.

The game remained deadlocked until the ninth inning, when East Bay's Alexa Zumstein delivered an RBI single through the left side to push the Pioneers ahead 5-4.

Standout Performances:

• Katlyn Gifford led the Jacks at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
• Julia Rivera went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
• Alyssa Ramirez added a key RBI double in the second inning.
• Rayna Ponce (0-2) took the loss, pitching three innings in relief while allowing one earned run.
• Riley Shopp provided 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit.
• Gaige Garcia started in the circle, striking out one over 3.2 innings.

Cal Poly Humboldt finished with eight hits, while the Pioneers tallied 14. 

Game 2 - No. 14 Cal State East Bay 2, Cal Poly Humboldt 0
Cal Poly Humboldt Battles No. 14 Cal State East Bay in Pitching Duel

The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team wrapped up Saturday's doubleheader against first-place and No. 14-ranked Cal State East Bay with a tightly contested 2-0 loss at the Bear River Complex. Despite a strong performance in the circle from Alyssa Smokey, the Jacks were unable to break through against the Pioneers' pitching, falling in both games of the twin bill.

Cal State East Bay (24-5, 12-4 CCAA) plated its only runs in the first inning, capitalizing on a pair of doubles. Ashlee Toy led off the game with a walk and came around to score on a Marissa Farias double to right center. Cynthia Carrillo followed with a double of her own, bringing home Farias for what proved to be the game's final run.

Humboldt (19-14, 8-10 CCAA) had opportunities to respond, recording four hits on the day, including a double from Katlyn Gifford, but struggled to bring runners across the plate. The Jacks' best scoring chance came in the bottom of the seventh when Hailee Moore led off with a single, but Toy retired the next three batters to seal the complete-game shutout.

Smokey (5-6) was stellar in the circle, going the distance while allowing just three hits and striking out eight. However, Toy (11-2) matched the effort, tossing seven scoreless innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Jacks will look to regroup as they continue CCAA play next weekend. Cal Poly Humboldt returns to action on Friday, March 28, when they host No. 15 Cal State San Marcos in another key conference series.

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