HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt softball begins postseason play this week as the No. 3 seeded Lumberjacks travel to Hayward for the 2026 CCAA Softball Championship Tournament at Pioneer Softball Field. Humboldt will open tournament play on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against No. 2 seed and tournament host Cal State East Bay.
The CCAA Tournament features a double-elimination format, with the winner earning the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II West Regional.
The Lumberjacks enter postseason play 25-26 overall and 16-14 in conference action after clinching their first CCAA Tournament berth since 2017. Humboldt secured the No. 3 seed following a strong finish to the regular season, including series victories over Chico State and key wins at Stanislaus State last weekend.
LAST TIME OUT
Cal Poly Humboldt closed out the regular season by splitting a four-game series against Stanislaus State in Turlock, officially clinching its postseason berth and securing the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.
The 'Jacks opened the weekend with a 1-0 victory behind a dominant complete-game shutout from Lily Fournier, who scattered eight hits and struck out five. Matea Muraoka delivered the game-winning RBI single, while Shelby Shanks and Muraoka each collected two hits.
On Saturday, Humboldt exploded offensively in a 9-1 run-rule victory to close the regular season. The Lumberjacks totaled 15 hits in the win, highlighted by a 4-for-5 performance from Alyssa Ramirez and a two-run double from Alexa Garcia. Katlyn Gifford, Rylee Banks, Bella Garcia, and Marissa Brody all contributed key RBI performances, while Fournier earned her 14th win of the season in the circle.
Throughout the final weeks of the season, Humboldt has continued to showcase resilience offensively while receiving strong pitching performances from Fournier, Ariana Bottel, and Mason Hatton.
CCAA TOURNAMENT
Cal State East Bay enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing 20-12 in CCAA play and 38-14 overall during the regular season.
The Pioneers have been among the conference's most consistent teams throughout the year and previously hosted Humboldt for a four-game series earlier this season. During that series, the Lumberjacks proved they could compete with one of the top teams in the conference, earning a split against the nationally-ranked Pioneers in Hayward.
Humboldt enters the postseason playing some of its best softball of the year, winning six of its last eight conference games while climbing into third place in the standings. The Lumberjacks have relied on timely hitting throughout the lineup, strong defense, and the continued leadership of veterans like Shelby Shanks, Alexa Garcia, Bella Garcia, Katlyn Gifford, and Marissa Brody.
With the tournament set in a double-elimination format, Humboldt will look to carry its late-season momentum into postseason play as the program makes its long-awaited return to the CCAA Championship stage.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
CCAA Softball Tournament: Watch | Listen on ESPN Radio | Live Stats | Tickets | Tournament Central
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
|
Team
|
CCAA
|
Overall
|
|
Cal State San Marcos
|
28-4
|
47-6
|
|
Cal State East Bay
|
20-12
|
38-14
|
|
Cal Poly Humboldt
|
16-14
|
25-26
|
|
Cal State Dominguez Hills
|
17-15
|
35-20
|
|
Cal State Monterey Bay
|
15-17
|
32-21
|
|
Chico State
|
13-19
|
19-25
|
|
San Francisco State
|
11-19
|
22-29
|
|
Stanislaus State
|
10-20
|
21-25
|
|
Cal State San Bernardino
|
10-20
|
21-29
|
UP NEXT
With a win, Humboldt will advance further in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament. Tournament play will continue through Saturday from Pioneer Softball Field in Hayward.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook.
Instagram: @humboldt.athletics
Twitter/X: @HumboldtJacks
Facebook: Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
