Marissa Slattery hit two double RBI homers in the Jacks, 7-6, comeback
ARCATA - Marissa Slattery's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth in game two capped off an impressive comeback as the Humboldt State softball team swept a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader Friday against Cal State University Stanislaus, winning by scores of 6-3 and 7-6.
With the sweep, the Jacks remain in first place in the CCAA with a 19-7 record and move to 31-12 overall. The Warriors drop to 11-11 in CCAA play and 24-14 overall.
"We made some mistakes on the bases, committed a few errors, but it was a great comeback," Humboldt State head softball coach Frank Cheek said.
Game one didn't see its first run cross the plate until the top of the fourth inning when Alyssa Guzman scored on an error by HSU right fielder Lindsay Warren. However the lead didn't last long as Humboldt State exploded for five runs on six hits in the bottom of the inning. Natalie Galletly and Warren hit back-to-back solo home runs and Francesca West added a two-run blast. Nikki Ketteringham capped off the inning with an RBI double to left center scoring Chrissy Motzny.
The Warriors got two runs back in the top of the fifth when Meghan Franksen and Ashlee Genseal hit back-to-back solo home runs. The Jacks answered with one run in the bottom half of the inning when Felecia Viveiros walked with the bases loaded, scoring Geneva Perrine.
HSU starter Gracie Perez (15-3) got the win, going 4 2/3 innings, and walking six, while also striking out six. Nichole Parada recorded the save, surrendering only one hit after replacing Perez.
"Our pitching showed their potential today," Cheek said.
Game two again saw CSU Stanislaus jump on the board first, this time scoring two runs in the top of the first on a two-run single by Genseal off of starter Jenna Anderson, who recorded just one out before being replaced by Parada.
The Jacks didn't get their first run of the game until the third inning when Galletly grounded out to second base, scoring Ketteringham. But the Warriors responded with three runs in the next half inning on doubles by Guzman and pinch hitter Alicia Reid.
Humboldt State then started its comeback, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth on five hits with a two-run homer by Slattery and an RBI double by Warren.
The Jacks took the lead the next inning when Slattery hit her second two-run homer of the game to put HSU up 6-5. Galletly scored on an error by Franksen to add an insurance run for the Jacks.
Stanislaus threatened to tie the game in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs against Perez, who had came in to relieve Parada in the fourth. The lone run of the inning for the Warriors came when Erica McIntyre was hit by a Perez pitch.
Humboldt State will conclude its series against CSU Stanislaus tomorrow at 10 a.m. Prior to the first pitch, this season's six senior will be honored.