ARCATA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team delivered an offensive explosion on Sunday, sweeping Cal State Monterey Bay in dominant fashion with a pair of high-scoring victories at Humboldt Softball Field. The Jacks (17-8, 6-4 CCAA) erupted for 23 total runs on the day, securing a 12-1 run-rule win in Game One before outlasting the Otters (12-10, 5-7 CCAA) in an 11-8 slugfest in Game Two. With the series victory, Humboldt took three of four games and continued its strong start in CCAA play.

Game 1 - Cal Poly Humboldt 12, Cal State Monterey Bay 1 (5 Innings)

Jacks Flip the Script with Dominant Run-Rule Victory Over Otters in Game One of Sunday Doubleheader

In a dramatic turnaround from the previous day, Cal Poly Humboldt's softball team delivered a commanding performance in game one of Sunday's doubleheader, run-ruling CSU Monterey Bay 12-1 in five innings at Humboldt Softball Field. The Jacks (16-8, 5-4 CCAA) used explosive second and fourth innings to secure the decisive victory and hand the Otters (12-9, 5-6 CCAA) a taste of their own medicine after suffering a similar fate on Saturday.

Gaige Garcia continued her dominance in the circle, earning her CCAA-leading ninth win of the season (9-2). The right-hander held CSU Monterey Bay to just three hits and one run while striking out three across five innings of work.

The game opened with the Otters striking first, plating a run in the top of the first inning off an RBI single from Nevaeh Martinez. However, Humboldt responded immediately, as Alyssa Smokey's RBI single brought home Hailee Moore to even the score at 1-1.

Humboldt broke the game wide open in the second inning, putting up six runs. Katlyn Gifford launched a two-run home run to center field, scoring Alyssa Ramirez, before Smokey delivered a grand slam to left field, clearing the bases and pushing the Jacks to a commanding 7-1 lead.

The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth inning with another five-run outburst. Smokey added her sixth RBI of the game with a single to right, bringing home Moore. A bases-loaded walk to Ramirez forced in another run, and Gifford followed with an RBI single. Hailey Meisenbach capped off the inning with a two-run single, extending the lead to 12-1 and putting the run-rule firmly in play.

Garcia made quick work of the Otters in the fifth to seal the victory, as the Jacks played flawless defense behind her, committing zero errors in the game.

Humboldt totaled 10 hits in the game, with Smokey (3-for-3, 6 RBIs) and Gifford (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) leading the way. Moore also showcased her speed, scoring three runs and stealing a base.

Game 2 - Cal Poly Humboldt 11, Cal State Monterey Bay 8

Jacks Complete Series Victory with Doubleheader Sweep Over Otters

The Cal Poly Humboldt softball team capped off a dominant weekend by securing a series victory with an 11-8 win over CSU Monterey Bay in Game Two of Sunday's doubleheader at Humboldt Softball Field. The Jacks (17-8, 6-4 CCAA) took three of four games from the Otters (12-10, 5-7 CCAA), closing out the series with an offensive showcase led by Hailee Moore, Vanessa Saltos, Shelby Shanks, and Alyssa Smokey.

The Jacks wasted no time setting the tone, exploding for five runs in the first inning. Alyssa Smokey's RBI single opened the scoring before Vanessa Saltos cleared the bases with a three-run triple. A sacrifice fly from Katlyn Gifford extended the lead to 5-0.

After Monterey Bay responded with two runs in the second, Humboldt kept the pressure on in the bottom half. Shanks drove in a run with an RBI single, Smokey added a sacrifice fly, and Lauren Asia delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 8-2. Shanks added to her stellar day with a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Monterey Bay fought back, scoring three unearned runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to 9-6. However, the Jacks answered in the sixth with two more runs, including Saltos' RBI single and an RBI hit from Alyssa Ramirez.

Smokey (5-2) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out three. Riley Shopp started the game, working 2.1 innings, and Mason Hatton closed it out in the seventh.

Moore finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Saltos went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and three RBIs. Shanks had a two-hit, three-run performance, including her home run, and Smokey contributed two hits and two RBIs.

With the series win, Humboldt continues to build momentum in CCAA play and will look to carry that into its next series. The Jacks return to action next weekend for another conference showdown at Chico State. 

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