ARCATA, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball continues its season-opening stretch away from home this week with six non-conference games in Hawaiʻi. The Lumberjacks (3-5) begin the trip with a Tuesday doubleheader at Hawaiʻi Hilo (1-4) before traveling to Honolulu for a Friday doubleheader against Hawaiʻi Pacific (1-5) and a Saturday twin bill versus Chaminade (0-7). Both the HPU and Chaminade games will be played at Sand Island Softball Field.
The Hawaiʻi swing follows back-to-back tournament weekends for the 'Jacks. Humboldt opened the year with a 2-2 showing at the Concordia Kickoff before going 1-3 at the West Coast Challenge this past weekend. The highlight of the second tournament came Friday, when the Lumberjacks upset No. 3 Western Washington in a statement victory.
Senior shortstop Shelby Shanks earned All-Tournament Team honors for her performance at the West Coast Challenge. Shanks delivered in Humboldt's win over the nationally ranked Vikings, blasting two home runs and driving in four RBIs. On the season, she is hitting .400 with two homers, seven RBIs, and 22 total bases. Defensively this past weekend, she was flawless, recording zero errors in 17 total chances while starting at shortstop.
Consistency in the Circle
In the circle, Lily Fournier has provided steady innings early in the season. Fournier owns a 3.00 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 28.0 innings, striking out 25 while issuing just four walks. She has made five appearances with four starts, helping stabilize the Humboldt pitching staff through the opening eight games.
Bats Heating Up
Offensively, Humboldt enters the Hawaiʻi trip with several bats trending upward.
Marissa Brody leads the team with a .474 batting average and 10 RBIs, slugging .737 through the first seven games.
Katlyn Gifford has been a power and gap-to-gap threat, hitting .400 with five doubles, two home runs, and a team-best 1.371 OPS.
Shelby Shanks is batting .400 with two homers, seven RBIs, and 22 total bases while playing every game at shortstop.
Rylee Banks is hitting .421, collecting eight hits and five RBIs while providing versatility in the lineup.
Hailee Moore has added speed and production, batting .321 with two triples and three stolen bases in as many attempts.
CCAA Rankings: Brody ranks sixth in the CCAA in batting average (.474), eighth in slugging percentage (.737), sixth in OPS (1.259), and tied for ninth in RBIs (10). Gifford sits second in slugging percentage (.840), third in OPS (1.371), fifth in on-base percentage (.531), tied for seventh in home runs (2), third in doubles (5), tied for ninth in RBIs (10), and seventh in walks (6). Shanks ranks ninth in slugging percentage (.733) and tied for sixth in home runs (2). Moore is tied for 10th in runs scored (9) and second in triples (2).
Humboldt will look to build off its win over No. 3 Western Washington as it continues non-conference play before turning its focus toward CCAA competition later this month. First pitch on Tuesday at Hawaiʻi Hilo opens the six-game island stretch.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook.
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