CARSON, Calif. – Head Coach Shelli Sarchett knew the offense needed to step up to help her No. 3-ranked Humboldt State softball team realize its potential heading into a four-game set versus Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Lumberjacks found their swing and completed their series sweep of the Toros with 8-0 and 12-3 victories Saturday.

“We came in here with a goal this weekend to really get our bats going, and that is exactly what happened,” said Sarchett. “To put up the runs that we did this weekend really sets a tone for the rest of the year and gives us momentum for the Tournament of Champions. I knew that we were capable of this, it was just a matter of getting the lineup to click.”

HSU extended its winning streak to 11 straight, and the Green and Gold improved to 24-2-1 overall and 19-1 versus California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents. Dominguez Hills slipped to 9-26 overall and 6-22 in conference play.

The Jacks now turn their attention to the annual Tournament of Champions and a midweek doubleheader versus UC San Diego. The twinbill versus the Tritons will be played at a neutral site on Thursday, March 31, and is a makeup for the rained out home series. The 15th annual Tournament of Champions begins Friday, April 1, and will pit the nationally-ranked Jacks against some of the top programs in the West Region.

GAME ONE 
(Humboldt State 8, Cal State Dominguez Hills 0 – 5 Innings)

HSU wasted no time taking an early lead in game three of the series. The Jacks pounded five hits and scored five runs in the first inning. Kalyn Paque launched her second grand slam of the season with one out to put the Green and Gold ahead 5-0. Paque finished the game with six RBI, and she became the first Lumberjack with six or more RBI in a game since Julie Pena drove in seven against Sonoma State on March 21, 2015.

The Jacks scored three more runs in the fifth to end the game early. Paque and Winona Vigil each notched run-scoring singles in the frame.

Katie Obbema held the Toros to one hit in 4.0 innings of work. She finished the game with two strikeouts and a walk, and the Morgan Hill, Calif., native improved her record to 11-2.

GAME TWO
(Humboldt State 12, Cal State Dominguez Hills 3 – 5 Innings)

The Jacks scored in every inning but the fifth and plated a season-high 12 runs in the nightcap.

HSU led 3-0 after two innings thanks to RBI singles from Cyndi Chavez and Darian Harris, an RBI walk from Pena and two Dominguez Hills errors. The Green and Gold added to the lead with four runs in the third and five more in the fourth inning. Tiffany Hollingsworth hit the second grand slam of the afternoon in the fourth to put the Jacks ahead 12-0. She finished the game with a team-high three hits and five RBI.

Madison Williams went the distance for HSU and fanned 13 Toros in the process. She picked up her team-leading 12th victory in the complete-game effort.

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