In Monday’s opener, HSU defeated the Wildcats behind Lizzy Prescott’s strong arm. The senior pitcher struck out five batters and gave up two hits , improving her record to 26-5. Taking the loss for Central Washington was Linse Vlahovic, who gave up six hits and two earned runs while striking out two batters in four innings of work.
“Lizzy pitched right through this team in game one,” said Humboldt State’s head softball coach Frank Cheek.
After scoring single runs in the first and fourth innings, the Jacks sealed the win with two more in the sixth. With two outs and Geneva Perrine at second, Caitlin Klug singled through the right side to drive in Perrine. Klug then stole second and was driven home by Nikki Ketteringham’s single.
In the day’s second game, Hannah Jones went the distance, improving her record to 8-4 while striking out five batters and surrendering one earned run on nine hits. Registering the loss was Katy Jones (2-3), who pitched two innings, giving up four runs, two earned, off of four hits and striking out one.
“Hannah Jones did a good job in game two,” Cheek said. “She had a few rough innings but was able to work her way out of them. Some of the troubles were on her and some were because of our defense, but we made it through.”
The Jacks took an early lead with a four-run second inning. Klug singled, stole second and then advanced to third on a sacrifice before coming home on Ashley Oltjenbruns’ single. Geneva Perrine walked before Oltjenbruns scored on an error.
With Perrine on third and Francesca West, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, on first, Chrissy Motzny singled, driving in Perrine with an unearned run. Following a fielder’s choice, Natalie Galletly singled up the middle to send home West with the final run of the inning.
Central Washington answered back in the top of the third, as Tarn Potter doubled to left center and advanced on a foul-out to right field. An HSU fielding error scored Potter with the Wildcats’ first run of the game.
With a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth, the Jacks increased their advantage with another multiple-run inning. With one out, Warren walked and advanced to third when Oltjenbruns singled up the middle. Oltjenbruns stole second to put runners on second and third, and West drove in both with a single. Motzny finished HSU’s three-run inning with a double down the left field line that scored West.
Central Washington didn’t go down easily, posting two runs in the top of the seventh. Wallace reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on Mallory Holtman’s infield single. Holly Rossman doubled to left center to drive in Wallace and Holtman, cutting the lead to 7-3 before Jones retired the final two hitters to end the game.
“The ladies did what they had to do,” Cheek said. “We beat these team like we should have, but we did give the other teams opportunities. All in all, this was a good weekend. It’ll be good to be home.”
The Jacks , now 34-12 overall, begin an eight-game homestand Friday when they host Cal State San Bernardino in a California Collegiate Athletic Association doubleheader at 1 p.m. The same two teams will meet on the HSU Softball Field at 11 a.m. Saturday.
For more information, including stats from these games, Visit the HSU Jacks’ homepage.