SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt softball battled in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader but came away empty-handed, falling 3-2 and 7-1 to Cal State San Bernardino at CSUSB Softball Park. Despite outhitting the Coyotes and getting a strong start from Gaige Garcia in game one, the Lumberjacks were undone by defensive miscues in extra innings. In the series finale, timely hits from the hosts and a sixth-inning surge proved too much to overcome, handing Humboldt its first series sweep of the 2025 season. The Jacks now sit at 25-22 overall and 14-18 in CCAA play as they head into the final series of the regular season with hopes to still make the CCAA Tournament.

Game 1 - CSUSB 3, HUM 2 (9 Innings)
Errors Prove Costly as Jacks Drop Game One of Saturday Doubleheader

Cal Poly Humboldt outhit Cal State San Bernardino and got a strong outing in the circle, but four defensive miscues ultimately proved too much to overcome in a tightly contested 3-2 loss on Saturday afternoon in game one of a scheduled doubleheader at CSUSB Softball Park.

The Lumberjacks (25-21, 14-17 CCAA) have now dropped three straight games—all decided by two runs or fewer—as they remain in the thick of the CCAA postseason chase. Saturday's effort was filled with positives, including a 9-hit day at the plate and a quality start from Gaige Garcia, but defensive lapses made the difference.

Senior catcher Julia Rivera launched her third home run of the season in the second inning to open the scoring, sending a solo shot over the right field fence. Humboldt added another run in the fifth when Alexa Garcia scored on an RBI double from Marissa Brody, who came through with her first extra-base hit of the year in a pinch-hit appearance.

Garcia worked seven innings in the circle, scattering five hits and allowing just one earned run while striking out seven. Rayna Ponce pitched the eighth and ninth, but a pair of throwing errors in the final frame allowed the Coyotes (23-24, 15-16 CCAA) to score the walk-off run.

Offensively, Humboldt saw strong efforts from Bella Garcia, who went 2-for-3 with a double, and Vanessa Saltos, who added another hit. The Jacks also turned a pair of double plays on defense and stayed aggressive at the plate throughout the game.

Game 2 - CSUSB 7, HUM 1
Lumberjacks Swept for First Time This Season in Series Finale at San Bernardino

Cal Poly Humboldt dropped its series finale against Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday afternoon, falling 7-1 at CSUSB Softball Park. The loss marked the first time the Lumberjacks have been swept in a series during the 2025 campaign.

With the result, Humboldt moves to 25-22 overall and 14-18 in CCAA play, while the Coyotes improve to 24-24 and reach an even 16-16 mark in conference action.

The Lumberjacks were held scoreless through the first six innings before finally breaking through in the seventh. Alyssa Ramirez scored the lone Humboldt run on a two-out RBI single up the middle by Hailey Meisenbach, who finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate. Katlyn Gifford added a double for the 'Jacks, while Bella Garcia, Alyssa Smokey, Shelby Shanks, and Alexa Garcia each collected a hit to round out Humboldt's six-hit effort.

Starting pitcher Riley Shopp (3-4) was charged with the loss after surrendering two runs on six hits in 2.1 innings of work. Smokey tossed the final 3.2 innings in relief, allowing five earned runs while striking out four.

San Bernardino capitalized on timely hitting, led by Emilie Lapena's three RBIs and Tereise Tosi's three-run homer in the sixth that blew the game open. The Coyotes plated two runs in the third and fourth innings before adding the decisive three-spot in the sixth.

Samantha Vargas (10-7) earned the complete game victory for San Bernardino, holding Humboldt to just one run while striking out one and walking one.

The Lumberjacks will look to regroup heading into their final regular season series of the year, returning home to host Stanislaus State (13-31, 8-24 CCAA) at Humboldt Softball Field. The Jacks currently sit in seventh place and are two games out of the last playoff spot behind Cal State San Bernardino (24-24, 16-16 CCAA). Humboldt will have to win the series against Stanislaus and receive help from San Francisco State, who is playing San Bernardino next weekend in San Francisco. 

For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, please visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app, and follow us on all social media platforms.