HAYWARD, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball split its Friday doubleheader on the road against No. 3 Cal State East Bay, falling 6-5 in a tightly contested opener before erupting for a dominant 9-0 run-rule victory in game two at Pioneer Field. The win marks Humboldt's second victory over a top-three opponent this season, joining an earlier triumph over No. 3 Western Washington.
Humboldt moves to 14-17 overall and 5-5 in CCAA play, while the Pioneers sit at 25-5 overall and 7-3 in conference action.
GAME ONE: No. 3 Cal State East Bay 6, Cal Poly Humboldt 5
The Lumberjacks went toe-to-toe with one of the nation's top teams in the opener, erasing an early deficit before a walk-off RBI single in the seventh gave the Pioneers the narrow win.
Humboldt struck first in the opening inning as Rylee Banks drove in a run with an RBI single, but East Bay answered with a five-run bottom half to take early control.
The 'Jacks chipped away throughout the middle innings. Marissa Brody delivered an RBI single in the second, and Humboldt pulled even in the fourth with a three-run frame. Brody added a sacrifice fly, and Katlyn Gifford came through with a clutch two-run double to tie the game at 5-5.
Offensively, Humboldt totaled eight hits, led by Alyssa Ramirez, who scored three runs and collected two hits, including a pair of doubles. Gifford finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Bella Garcia also added two hits. Brody and Banks each drove in runs as part of the balanced attack.
In the circle, Mason Hatton provided a strong effort, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing just three earned runs while keeping Humboldt within striking distance. Ariana Bottel was tagged with the loss after allowing the game-winning run in the seventh.
GAME TWO: Cal Poly Humboldt 9, No. 3 Cal State East Bay 0 (5 innings)
Humboldt responded in emphatic fashion in game two, erupting for seven runs in the first inning and never looking back in a run-rule victory over the third-ranked Pioneers.
The Lumberjacks sent 12 batters to the plate in the opening frame, stringing together seven hits and capitalizing on disciplined at-bats. RBI singles from Brody, Banks, Olivia Hurtado, and Lauren Aubrey, along with a hit-by-pitch RBI from Alexa Garcia and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Bella Garcia, fueled the early outburst. Ramirez capped the inning with an RBI single as Humboldt built a commanding 7-0 lead.
Humboldt added two more runs in the fifth, highlighted by another RBI single from Ramirez and a sacrifice fly from Brody.
The Lumberjacks' offense was relentless, finishing with 13 hits. Ramirez led the charge with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, scoring twice and driving in two runs. Brody added two hits and two RBI, while Banks, Hurtado, Aubrey, and Alexa Garcia each contributed RBI in the balanced effort.
In the circle, Lily Fournier was dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout. The left-hander scattered four hits over 5.0 innings, striking out four and walking just one to secure her seventh win of the season.
UP NEXT
The Lumberjacks will look to carry momentum from their statement win into the remainder of the series against the nationally ranked Pioneers on Saturday in Hayward. Tomorrow's game times are set for 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Catch all the action live on FloCollege.
