LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball opened the West Coast Challenge with a statement victory, upsetting No. 3 Western Washington before closing Friday with a hard-fought loss to Western Oregon.

Game 1 – Cal Poly Humboldt 11, No. 3 Western Washington 4

The Lumberjacks delivered their biggest win of the season so far on Friday morning, knocking off third-ranked Western Washington, 11-4, behind a monster performance from Shelby Shanks and a complete-game effort from Lily Fournier.

Shanks powered Humboldt's offense with two home runs and four RBIs, accounting for the first four runs of the game. She opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run shot to left center, then reclaimed momentum in the third with another two-run homer to right field.

Western Washington briefly answered in the opening frame with a two-run homer of its own, but Humboldt seized control in the third inning and never looked back. Katlyn Gifford followed Shanks' second homer with a solo blast, pushing the Lumberjacks ahead for good.

Humboldt continued to add pressure throughout the middle innings. Bella Garcia drove in a run with a single in the fourth, while a sacrifice fly later in the frame extended the lead. In the fifth, Matea Muraoka drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home another run.

The Lumberjacks capped the scoring with a three-run seventh inning, including a sacrifice fly from Olivia Hurtado and two runs that crossed on wild pitches.

In the circle, Fournier went the distance for her first collegiate win. She scattered six hits, struck out five, and worked through early trouble to keep the Vikings off balance over seven innings.

Hailee Moore provided another spark for the lineup, scoring twice and recording a triple, while Gifford finished with two runs scored and an RBI to complement her home run.

Game 2 – Western Oregon 13, Cal Poly Humboldt 7

Humboldt carried momentum into the afternoon game against Western Oregon, jumping out to an early lead, but a big sixth inning by the Wolves proved decisive in a 13-7 setback.

The Lumberjacks struck first in the opening inning as Gifford doubled home Shanks, followed immediately by a two-run homer from Marissa Brody to give Humboldt a 3-0 advantage.

After Western Oregon answered with four runs in the bottom of the first, Humboldt responded again in the third inning. Brody delivered once more, ripping a two-run single, and Rylee Banks followed with a two-run double to restore a 7-5 lead.

Brody finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 with four RBIs, while Gifford added two hits and two runs scored. Moore continued her strong day at the plate with a pair of hits, and Shanks crossed the plate twice.

Western Oregon gradually chipped away before erupting for five runs in the sixth inning to pull away. Humboldt collected 13 hits in the contest but was unable to push across runs late against Penny-Lew Barnett, who tossed four scoreless innings in relief.

Up Next

Cal Poly Humboldt continues play at the West Coast Challenge on Saturday as the Lumberjacks look to build on Friday's statement performance.

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