TURLOCK, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball secured its place in the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, as the Lumberjacks split Friday's doubleheader at Stan State in the final regular season series of the year. Humboldt opened the day with a 1-0 victory before falling 3-0 in game two.
With the split, the 'Jacks move to 24-25 overall and 15-13 in CCAA play and have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 CCAA Softball Championship Tournament, making their first appearance in the postseason 2017. Humboldt currently sits in third place in the conference standings, with final seeding to be determined on Saturday.
GAME ONE: Cal Poly Humboldt 1, Stan State 0
In a pitcher's duel, Lily Fournier delivered one of her best performances of the season, tossing a complete-game shutout to lead Humboldt to the 1-0 win. Fournier scattered eight hits across seven innings while striking out five and issuing just one walk in the 128-pitch effort.
The Lumberjacks broke through in the sixth inning. Bridgette Boling came around to score the game's lone run after Matea Muraoka lined an RBI single up the middle, plating Boling and giving Humboldt the decisive 1-0 lead.
Offensively, Humboldt tallied five hits and showed patience at the plate with six walks. Shelby Shanks led the way with a 2-for-3 performance and a walk, while Muraoka also recorded two hits and drove in the game-winning run. Katlyn Gifford added a double and reached base twice, and Marissa Brody drew a pair of walks to contribute to the 'Jacks' offensive pressure.
Despite Stan State putting runners on throughout the game, Fournier worked out of trouble repeatedly, inducing 12 ground-outs and keeping the Warriors off the scoreboard to secure her complete-game shutout.
GAME TWO: Stan State 3, Cal Poly Humboldt 0
The Warriors responded in the second game, using an early two-run first inning and adding an insurance run in the fifth to claim the 3-0 victory.
Humboldt was limited to four hits but continued to find ways to get runners aboard. Shelby Shanks, Marissa Brody, Rylee Banks, and Lauren Aubrey each recorded a hit, while Shanks and Alexa Garcia added walks.
In the circle, Ariana Bottel took the loss after allowing two runs in the opening inning. Mason Hatton provided strong relief, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing just one run while striking out two.
The 'Jacks threatened at times but were unable to capitalize, leaving five runners on base in the contest.
UP NEXT
Humboldt remains in third place in the CCAA standings heading into Saturday's regular season finale. Tournament seeding will come down to the final day, as the Lumberjacks look to hold onto their position entering next week's CCAA Championship.
First pitch for Saturday's finale is set for 11 a.m. from Warrior Softball Field.
