SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt battled No. 3 Cal State San Marcos in a CCAA road doubleheader on Friday afternoon at CSUSM Softball Field, falling 3-0 in game one before dropping a 7-1 decision in game two.
Game One: No. 3 Cal State San Marcos 3, Cal Poly Humboldt 0
The Lumberjacks (19-21, 10-9 CCAA) were limited to three hits in the opener despite multiple baserunners against Cougar pitching.
Rylee Banks led Humboldt at the plate, going 2-for-3 to account for two of the Jacks' three hits. Alyssa Ramirez added a base knock, while Marissa Brody and Katlyn Gifford each reached via walks to round out Humboldt's baserunners.
Freshman Lily Fournier delivered another strong outing in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Fournier etched her name into a key milestone, recording her 100th strikeout of the season by retiring Olivia Rivera. Her 100 strikeouts rank second in the CCAA this season.
Cal State San Marcos (39-5, 21-4 CCAA) capitalized early, scoring once in the first and adding two runs in the second, which proved to be enough support for Madison Cabrera, who earned the win. Hailey Shiftlett recorded the save.
Game Two: No. 3 Cal State San Marcos 7, Cal Poly Humboldt 1
Humboldt (19-22, 10-10 CCAA) responded with four hits in game two, highlighted by Katlyn Gifford's power at the plate.
Gifford put the Jacks on the board in the second inning with a solo home run to right field, her seventh of the season. The long ball not only leads the team but ranks fifth in the CCAA.
Shelby Shanks, Marissa Brody, and Hailee Moore each contributed a hit, while Shanks and Gifford also reached via walks. Rylee Banks and Olivia Hurtado added to Humboldt's offensive presence after being hit by pitches.
In the circle, Mason Hatton (6-5) battled through 3.1 innings in the start, while the Lumberjacks turned to Ariana Bottel for effective relief down the stretch. Bottel provided a bright spot, tossing 2.2 shutout innings without allowing a hit while striking out one.
The Cougars used a four-inning scoring surge to pull away, highlighted by multiple RBI performances and 11 total hits in the contest.
Cal Poly Humboldt will look to bounce back as the Lumberjacks continue their CCAA series against the Cougars on Saturday with another doubleheader scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
