HAYWARD, Calif. – In a back-and-forth battle that lived up to its billing, No. 3 seed Cal Poly Humboldt erased multiple deficits and delivered another signature "Cardiac 'Jacks" rally, but No. 2 seed Cal State East Bay answered late to edge the Lumberjacks 7-6 in Thursday afternoon's opening round of the CCAA Softball Championship at Pioneer Field.
Humboldt (25-27) showed resilience throughout, including a dramatic six-run swing in the later innings, but East Bay (39-14) used a seventh-inning push to walk off with the win in the double-elimination tournament opener.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings to begin the contest, Cal State East Bay capitalized on miscues in the third to take the early momentum. The Pioneers plated three runs—two coming on RBI singles and another on a Humboldt error—to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
The 'Jacks responded in the fourth. Marissa Brody sparked the inning, and Rylee Banks delivered an RBI single to center to score one. Moments later, Marisol Gomez grounded out to bring home another, trimming the deficit to 3-2.
East Bay answered immediately in the bottom half, using a two-run double to push its advantage back to three at 5-2.
THE CARDIAC 'JACKS STRIKE AGAIN – TOP OF THE SIXTH
Trailing 5-2 entering the sixth, Humboldt delivered one of its most thrilling innings of the season.
Katlyn Gifford worked a leadoff walk, setting the table for Matea Muraoka, who roped a double down the left field line to put runners on second and third with no outs. After a pop-up, the 'Jacks took advantage of defensive pressure.
Alexa Garcia reached on a throwing error by the third baseman, allowing Gifford to score while Muraoka moved to third. Shortly after, a wild pitch brought Muraoka home, suddenly making it a one-run game at 5-4.
With two outs and momentum building, Alyssa Ramirez delivered in the clutch—driving a double to left field to tie the game. Bella Garcia followed with another big hit, singling to center and advancing to second on the throw, plating Ramirez to complete the four-run rally.
In a matter of minutes, Humboldt had flipped a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 lead, fueled by aggressive baserunning, timely hitting, and relentless pressure.
FINAL FRAMES
The lead held until the bottom of the seventh, when East Bay's Jasmyn Morales led off with a solo home run to even the score at 6-6. Later in the inning, the Pioneers capitalized on another opportunity, using a fielder's choice to bring in the winning run and secure the 7-6 victory on an obstruction call at the plate.
AT THE PLATE
Humboldt recorded seven hits and drew four walks, with multiple players contributing to the comeback effort:
IN THE CIRCLE
Freshman Lily Fournier battled through a complete-game effort, striking out seven over 6.0 innings. Despite scattering eight hits and allowing seven runs (five earned), Fournier kept the 'Jacks within striking distance and gave Humboldt a chance to rally late in her postseason debut.
UP NEXT
With the loss, Cal Poly Humboldt will now face a win-or-go-home scenario in the elimination bracket. The 'Jacks will take on No. 4 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday at 12:30 p.m. as they look to continue their postseason run.
