SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball split its non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Penguin Field, falling 8-6 in game one before responding with an emphatic 11-2 victory over Dominican in game two.
With the split, the Lumberjacks move to 10-15 on the season.
GAME ONE: DOMINICAN 8, CAL POLY HUMBOLDT 6
The 'Jacks came out swinging early, building a 5-1 lead through three innings behind timely hitting and a big swing from Katlyn Gifford.
After RBI contributions from Shelby Shanks and Bella Garcia in the first two innings, Humboldt broke things open in the third. Marissa Brody lifted a sacrifice fly before Gifford launched a two-run home run to right field, giving the 'Jacks a four-run cushion.
Dominican answered with a decisive six-run bottom of the third to take a 7-5 lead, capitalizing on a string of hits to flip the momentum.
Humboldt chipped back within one in the fourth on an RBI single from Alyssa Ramirez, but the Penguins added an insurance run in the fifth and held the 'Jacks scoreless the rest of the way.
Gifford led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Ramirez added two hits and an RBI. Matea Muraoka and Bella Garcia also recorded multi-hit games in the opener.
GAME TWO: CAL POLY HUMBOLDT 11, DOMINICAN 2
The Lumberjacks flipped the script in game two, erupting late to secure a dominant run-rule victory.
Trailing 1-0 early, Humboldt broke through with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Alyssa Ramirez, Bella Garcia, and Shelby Shanks.
The 'Jacks continued to add on in the sixth before blowing the game open in the seventh. Mason Hatton provided the exclamation point, crushing a three-run home run to left field to extend the lead to 10-2.
Humboldt finished with 14 hits in the nightcap, led by:
In the circle, Ariana Bottel earned the win with 5.2 solid innings, while Hatton closed the door with 1.1 scoreless innings to go along with her three-run homer.
UP NEXT
After opening the season with 25 consecutive games away from home, the Lumberjacks will finally make their home debut this weekend.
Cal Poly Humboldt hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills in a CCAA series beginning Friday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., followed by Saturday games at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Humboldt Softball Field.
