ARCATA, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball split its Saturday doubleheader with Cal State Monterey Bay, falling 3-2 in the opener before rallying for a 10-9 victory in game two to secure the series win at Humboldt Softball Field. With the split, the Lumberjacks claimed three of four games in the weekend set over the Otters.

Humboldt now moves to 18-19 overall and 9-7 in CCAA play after taking the series. The 'Jacks sit in third place of the CCAA standings. 

GAME ONE: MONTEREY BAY 3, HUMBOLDT 2

The Lumberjacks struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on a wild pitch to plate Bella Garcia for a 1-0 lead. After Monterey Bay evened things in the third, Katlyn Gifford delivered a go-ahead solo home run in the fourth—her first of the day—to put Humboldt back in front, 2-1.

Lily Fournier was strong in the circle despite the tough-luck loss, tossing a complete game while allowing just one earned run and striking out six.

The Otters broke through in the sixth inning, using a pair of RBI singles—both runs unearned—to take a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Garcia led the offense with a 2-for-2 performance, while Gifford provided the lone RBI on her home run. Humboldt was limited to five hits in the contest.

GAME TWO: HUMBOLDT 10, MONTEREY BAY 9

Game two turned into an offensive slug-fest, with the Lumberjacks responding to early deficits with one of their most explosive innings of the season.

After Monterey Bay jumped out to a 6-3 lead through two innings and extended it to 8-3 in the fourth, Humboldt answered in a big way in the bottom half of the inning, erupting for seven runs on five hits.

The fourth inning rally was the turning point of the game. Olivia Hurtado sparked the surge with a lead-off double to left, and Lauren Aubrey followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Alexa Garcia drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single before Alyssa Ramirez executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. After a walk loaded the bases, Shelby Shanks delivered a clutch two-run double to left center, with a throwing error allowing an additional run to score as Humboldt pulled within one. Marissa Brody kept the momentum going with an RBI double to tie the game, and Katlyn Gifford capped the seven-run outburst with a two-run home run—her second of the day— to right center, giving the 'Jacks a 10-8 lead.

Brody finished with a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI, while Shanks added three hits and two RBI at the top of the order. Bella Garcia also contributed two hits and scored twice.

In the circle, Mason Hatton earned the win after battling through four innings, striking out three. Lily Fournier returned to close out the game, earning her first save of the season with three scoreless innings and four strikeouts to shut the door.

SATURDAY NOTES

• Humboldt wins the series 3-1 over Monterey Bay

• Katlyn Gifford recorded two home runs on the day, including the game-winning blast in game two

• Marissa Brody drove in four runs in game two

• Shelby Shanks tallied three hits and two RBI in the nightcap

• Lily Fournier combined for 10.0 innings on the day with 10 strikeouts, including a save in game two

• Mason Hatton secured her fifth win of the season in the circle

Cal Poly Humboldt will look to carry its momentum into next week as the Lumberjacks continue CCAA play at home against Cal State San Bernardino beginning on Friday at 1:00 PM.