Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics

A memorable season for the Cal Poly Humboldt softball team concluded on Friday, as the Jacks lost 4-3 to No. 1 seed Cal State San Marcos at the CCAA Tournament in Hayward.

Earlier in the day, the No. 3 seeded Humboldt women won an elimination game against No. 4 Cal State Dominguez Hills, 11-0 in five innings to keep the season going.

That was the program’s first postseason win in nine years.

“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” Jacks head coach Megan Corriea said. “Our seniors provided tremendous leadership all year, and this team showed what it means to compete with heart. 

“We played a great day of softball today across both games, and I’m proud of how we fought and showed resilience, not just today, but all season long.”

The Humboldt women finished up with a 26-28 overall record in a remarkable campaign that saw them exceed expectations all spring. 

The Jacks were picked eighth in the CCAA preseason poll, but placed third in conference to qualify for the conference tournament for the first time since 2017.

Friday’s second matchup was another example of the resilience that defined Humboldt’s season.

Cal State San Marcos (49-7) struck early with a three-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Czar Fleischman, and would add a solo home run in the third to take a 4-1 lead.

Humboldt responded with steady offensive pressure, recording nine hits in the contest. 

Rylee Banks had a solo home run in the fourth, the first of her young career, to cut the deficit to 4-2. 

Later in the inning, Alyssa Ramirez came through with an RBI single to center field to score Alexa Garcia and narrow the deficit to just one.

That, however, was as close was they would come despite continued pressure throughout the game. 

Ramirez led the way offensively with a 2-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Banks added two hits, including her home run. 

Shelby Shanks reached base three times with a hit and two walks, and Katlyn Gifford contributed a hit and reached via hit-by-pitch.

Alexa Garcia added a double and a run.

In the circle, freshman Lily Fournier delivered a strong outing against one of the nation’s top offenses. 

Fournier went the distance, tossing 6.0 innings while allowing four runs on eight hits, striking out three and keeping Humboldt within striking distance throughout the contest.

The Jacks threatened again late but were unable to push across the tying run.

Earlier in the day, the Jacks comfortably took care of business against Dominguez Hills to keep the season going.

Fournier dominated in the circle, while Shanks hit her eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone.

The Humboldt bats exploded for seven runs in the second inning to take control of the game.

Fournier was in complete control throughout, tossing a five-inning shutout to earn her first career postseason victory. 

The left-hander allowed just four hits, struck out two, and did not issue a walk in a highly efficient 65-pitch performance.

Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics