SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt came up short in both contests of a Friday doubleheader against Cal State San Bernardino, falling 8-1 in the opener before dropping a tightly contested 5-4 extra-inning decision in a game that was halted due to darkness and concluded Saturday morning. Despite strong offensive showings from
Bella Garcia,
Alyssa Ramirez, and
Katlyn Gifford across both games, the Lumberjacks were unable to overcome late-inning surges from the Coyotes, slipping to 25-20 overall and 14-16 in CCAA play.
Game 1 - CSUSB 8, HUM 1
Jacks Drop Game One of Friday Doubleheader at San Bernardino
Cal Poly Humboldt dropped the opening game of Friday's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) doubleheader, falling 8-1 to host Cal State San Bernardino at CSUSB Softball Park.
The Jacks (25-19, 14-15 CCAA) were held scoreless through the first five innings before pushing across their lone run in the top of the sixth. Senior Bella Garcia led the way offensively with a 2-for-3 effort, including a double, while freshman Alyssa Ramirez and Hailee Moore each recorded a hit to round out Humboldt's four-hit performance.
After three scoreless innings to start the game, the Coyotes (21-24, 13-16 CCAA) broke through with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Alex Hooper and Shannon Galliano. CSUSB continued its power surge in the fifth and sixth innings with three more long balls, including a pair by Tereise Tosi, who finished with three RBIs.
The Jacks' lone run came in the sixth, when Vanessa Saltos reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in an error, allowing Julia Rivera to advance and Bella Garcia to score.
In the circle, Gaige Garcia (15-5) took the loss, tossing 4.1 innings while allowing six hits and five runs—only three earned—while striking out three. Alyssa Smokey entered in relief and struck out four in 1.2 innings of work.
Brooke Blackmon earned the win for San Bernardino, going the distance with a seven-inning effort. She struck out 10 while allowing just one run on four hits.
Game 2 - CSUSB 5, HUM 4 (10 Innings)
Lumberjacks Fall in Extra Innings as Game Two of Doubleheader Resumes Saturday Morning
In a game that began Friday afternoon as the second half of a doubleheader and resumed Saturday morning due to darkness, Cal Poly Humboldt dropped a 5-4 extra-inning heartbreaker to Cal State San Bernardino. The walk-off loss moves the Lumberjacks to 25-20 overall and 14-16 in CCAA action.
The Lumberjacks got off to a strong start in the top of the first, plating three runs on RBI hits from Shelby Shanks, Vanessa Saltos, and Katlyn Gifford to seize early momentum. After CSUSB chipped away to tie the game at 3-3, the Yotes took a 4-3 lead in the fifth.
Humboldt responded in the sixth when Alyssa Ramirez singled up the middle, scoring Hailey Meisenbach to even the game at 4-4. Despite both teams threatening in the later innings, the game remained tied after nine and was suspended due to fading daylight at CSUSB Softball Park.
When play resumed Saturday morning, San Bernardino capitalized in the bottom of the 10th, as Alex Hooper delivered the game-winning hit to right field, scoring Lindsey Marschall to hand the Jacks the narrow loss.
Ramirez led Humboldt with two hits and an RBI, while Shanks notched her a double and drove in a run. Gifford also contributed a pair of hits and an RBI as the Jacks outhit the Yotes 11-9 but left 11 runners on base.
Rayna Ponce started in the circle and went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Riley Shopp (3-3) pitched six innings in relief, striking out five while allowing two earned runs on five hits.
Cal Poly Humboldt will look to bounce back as the series continues Saturday with the regularly scheduled doubleheader.
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