ARCATA, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt split its CCAA doubleheader with Cal State San Bernardino on last Thursday afternoon at the Humboldt Softball Field, falling 7-4 in game one before bouncing back with a 7-5 victory in a rain-shortened game two.
With the split, the Lumberjacks move to 19-20 overall and 10-8 in CCAA play, while the Coyotes sit at 19-19 overall and 8-10 in conference action. Due to inclement weather impacting the remainder of the series, games three and four were canceled, and game two of Thursday's doubleheader was declared final after surpassing the regulation mark.
GAME ONE | SAN BERNARDINO 7, HUMBOLDT 4
Cal Poly Humboldt struck first in the opener, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning behind Shelby Shanks' two-run home run to center field, scoring Bella Garcia, who finished 3-for-4 at the plate.
San Bernardino responded with a six-run stretch across the fourth and fifth innings, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting. The Coyotes plated three runs in the fourth—two unearned—before adding three more in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Isabella Venegas.
Humboldt answered in the fifth inning when Katlyn Gifford delivered a clutch two-run double to center, bringing home Shanks and Garcia to cut the deficit to 6-4.
The Coyotes added an insurance run in the sixth, while Humboldt was unable to generate further offense down the stretch.
Shanks led the Lumberjacks with a 2-for-4 performance, including her home run and two RBI, while Garcia added three hits and scored twice. Gifford accounted for Humboldt's other two RBI with her extra-base hit.
In the circle, Lily Fournier (9-10) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings. Ariana Bottel provided relief, tossing the final 2.1 innings and allowing one run. San Bernardino's Ashley Legler earned the complete-game win with five strikeouts, while Ava Paquin recorded the save.
GAME TWO | HUMBOLDT 7, SAN BERNARDINO 5 (6 INN., FINAL)
The Lumberjacks wasted no time in game two, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Humboldt capitalized on early control issues and delivered key extra-base hits, including a bases-clearing three-run double from Olivia Hurtado and an RBI double from Alexa Garcia.
San Bernardino answered with four runs in the second inning, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Brooke Brazill to cut the deficit to 5-4.
Humboldt extended its lead in the third inning, adding two more runs on a sacrifice fly by Hurtado and an RBI double from Lauren Aubrey, making it 7-4.
The Coyotes added a run in the fifth, but Mason Hatton shut the door from there. Hatton (6-4) earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings while allowing four earned runs and striking out four. Fournier recorded the final out in relief.
Offensively, Humboldt made the most of five hits, with Hurtado driving in a game-high four RBI. Aubrey and Alexa Garcia each contributed RBI doubles, while Marissa Brody added a two-hit performance and Rylee Banks scored twice and drove in a run.
SERIES NOTES
Game two experienced multiple delays due to rain and diminishing daylight before ultimately being halted and later declared final after six innings. Continued inclement weather forced the cancellation of the remaining games in the series, solidifying Thursday's results as the final outcomes.
UP NEXT
Cal Poly Humboldt now sits in third place in the CCAA standings with a 19-20 overall record and 10-8 mark in conference play, positioning itself firmly in the postseason conversation.
The Lumberjacks face a pivotal test next weekend, traveling to take on No. 3 Cal State San Marcos (38-5, 20-4 CCAA) in a four-game series on Friday and Saturday.
