ARCATA, Calif. – On a chilly Tuesday in Arcata, Cal Poly Humboldt gave fans two big reasons to cheer, rallying to win a resumed game one and riding dominant pitching in game two to complete a doubleheader sweep of No. 23 San Francisco State at Humboldt Softball Field. The Lumberjacks held off a late surge to secure a 7-6 victory in the continuation of a game originally halted on February 21, then followed it up with a 4-1 statement win behind a red-hot Alyssa Smokey and a near no-hit performance from Rayna Ponce. The sweep improves the Jacks to 25-18 overall and 14-14 in CCAA play, while handing the nationally ranked Gators back-to-back losses and dropping them to 28-16 (15-13 CCAA).
Game 1 - Cal Poly Humboldt 7, No. 23 San Francisco State 6
Lumberjacks Rally to Win Resumed Game One of Tuesday Doubleheader Over No. 23 San Francisco State
Cal Poly Humboldt scored six runs in the fourth inning and held off a late push to defeat No. 23 San Francisco State, 7-6, in the resumed game one of Tuesday's doubleheader at Humboldt Softball Field. The game had originally started on February 21 before being halted in the top of the fifth inning with the Jacks leading 6-1.
The win moves the Lumberjacks to 24-18 overall and 13-14 in CCAA play, while the nationally ranked Gators drop to 28-15 overall and 15-12 in conference action.
Tuesday's continuation began with Humboldt ahead 6-1, thanks to a fourth-inning offensive explosion that saw seven different Lumberjacks reach base and six runners cross home plate. Key contributions in the inning included a bases-loaded walk by Hailey Meisenbach to open the scoring, an RBI single from Marisol Gomez, and a two-run single by Alyssa Smokey.
San Francisco State chipped away at the deficit in the fifth and sixth innings, tying the game at 6-6 after capitalizing on a throwing error and a passed ball. But Humboldt responded in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Ramirez, scoring Hailee Moore for what would stand as the game-winning run.
On the mound, Gaige Garcia earned the win in relief, improving to 15-4 on the year (currently second most wins in the CCAA). The senior right-hander tossed the final three innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out three. Riley Shopp got the start back in February and pitched four solid innings, striking out five and limiting the Gators to three runs despite five walks.
Offensively, the Jacks tallied five hits from five different players, with Smokey driving in a team-high two runs. Meisenbach, Brody, Shanks, and Ramirez each collected an RBI, while Vanessa Saltos added a double and scored a run.
The resumed game was completed in just under an hour, with only 30 fans in attendance for the unique restart under cool, partly cloudy conditions in Arcata.
Game 2 - Cal Poly Humboldt 4, No. 23 San Francisco State 1
Smokey Ignites Offense, Ponce Flirts with No-Hitter as Humboldt Wins Game Two Over No. 23 San Francisco State
Cal Poly Humboldt found its offensive spark and rode the dominant arm of Rayna Ponce to a 4-1 win over No. 23 San Francisco State in game two of Tuesday's doubleheader at Humboldt Softball Field.
The win lifts the Jacks to 25-18 overall and 14-14 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), while the Gators fall to 28-16 (15-13 CCAA).
Alyssa Smokey led the charge at the plate, driving in all four of Humboldt's runs and finishing the game 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a two-run single. Her bat came alive in the third inning when she launched a ball over the left center field wall to score Alyssa Ramirez and break open a scoreless game.
Smokey struck again in the fourth, delivering a clutch single to left center to bring home Hailee Moore and Katlyn Gifford, giving the Jacks a commanding 4-0 lead.
In the circle, Ponce was masterful. The sophomore held the Gators hitless through the first four innings and allowed just two hits across five shutout frames, earning her first win of the season. She struck out one and induced nine groundouts in the outing.
Gaige Garcia came in to close the door, pitching the final two innings and allowing just one run on two hits to secure the victory.
Humboldt outhit the Gators 10-4, with Ramirez, Garcia, Shanks, Saltos, Gifford, Moore, and Brody all contributing to a well-balanced offensive showing.
San Francisco State avoided the shutout with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to erase Humboldt's early damage.
The Jacks return to action this weekend as they travel to Cal State San Bernardino (20-24, 12-16 CCAA) for a pivotal CCAA series with eight games remaining. Humboldt currently sits in fifth place of the CCAA standings and is just one game out of third place.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms.
