Humboldt State’s softball team will return to the softball diamond on Thursday, March 25 to begin a 32-game schedule. This will be the first time that the Lumberjacks have competed since March 7, 2020.  HSU will be on the road for the 32 games traveling through the States of Oregon, Montana, Washington and California.

 “Being able to finally get back on the road and play games after a whole year is an amazing feeling,” said Humboldt State Senior Second Baseman Danica Grier. “To be able to lace up my cleats for one last ride with my team is a feeling that I can't explain. In these few short months our whole team has worked so hard to get to this point. We can't wait to finally be able to play someone other than ourselves! Pre-Season has been interesting to say the least, but despite all the COVID tests and screenings, and rules and protocols, the team worked through it all, we did what we had to do to be on the field to practice. The hard work and all the effort are finally going to pay off!” 

 The Lumberjacks, under the guidance of head coach Shelli Sarchett, will begin their trip with an exhibition doubleheader in Coos Bay, Ore., on March 25 against Southwest Oregon Community College (SWOCC).  After face SWOCC, HSU will travel to Billings, Mont., to face Montana State Billings in back to back doubleheaders, March 27-28.  The Lumberjacks will stay in Montana for a pair of doubleheaders March 29-30 against Carroll College in Helena, Mont. 

 HSU travels to Idaho for its next two doubleheaders which will be exhibition games against Northern Idaho College, April 1-2, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  The first part of HSU’s schedule will finish off in the State of Washington. The ‘Jacks will face Saint Martin’s in a three-game series April 6-7 in Lacey.  They will travel to Ellensburg for a five-game series with Central Washington, April 9-11. 

 The Lumberjacks will return home for a two-week quarantine period before heading to the Bay Area in late April.  Athletes are being housed primarily in athlete-designated buildings, suites, and apartments. As with any campus resident, all students traveling out of Humboldt County are required to complete a 14-day quarantine before they return to their assigned room space. Athletic teams will be following the same process and upon their travel return, will be housed in separate facilities and/or apartments to quarantine for 14 days prior to them returning to their assigned room space.

 After their quarantine period, they will face Academy of Art in back to back doubleheaders in Brisbane April 25-26.  HSU will finish off its schedule with a six-game series with Dominican University in San Rafael, April 28 through May 1.

 "March 25th can't come soon enough,” said Sarchett.  “This team has put in a tremendous amount of work throughout our abbreviated fall and spring seasons. Although practice time has been condensed the team got a lot of quality time in. I really think that we are ready to play and compete at a level that is acceptable for Humboldt State. This upcoming season will definitely have its challenges but I do believe that this team is ready to step up and accept those challenges. I know that I can rely on my senior leadership to help us take the challenge by the horns. I can't wait to take the field with this group of ladies, the break has been too long.”

 Coach Sarchett returns 13 letter-winners from last year’s shortened season team. Seniors Micaela Harris, Danica Grier and Haley Suter paced the ‘Jacks last season.  Harris and Grier led HSU with their team high .352 batting average. Each of them had 25 hits of which three of Harris’ were triples and three of Grier’s were home runs.  Grier paced HSU with her 23 runs batted in and Harris scored a team leading 24 times.  Harris was a perfect 18-for-18 in stolen base attempts.  Suter drove in 19 runs and scored 17 runs in the shortened season.  She posted a .532 slugging percentage while hitting a team high four home runs.  Also, back for HSU amongst the positional starters are Katelyn Dendas, Jenna Sobrero and Izzy Starr. Over in the circle, Megan Holt and Megan Escobar are back for the Lumberjacks.

 HSU welcomes 11 newcomers to this year’s team including three transfers in Emily McAdams, Mikey Edwards-Gonzales and Karen Di Dio.

 Athletics training, practice, and travel will help HSU return to other activities safely, when possible. The success of these teams will inform the continuation of field trips, additional face-to-face instruction, campus events, and other engagements. The University is hoping to be able to apply the protocols and guidelines that are successful to the broader campus in Fall 2021

Though no spectators will be allowed, games will be available to stream online for a small fee by the host institution, and Athletics will be sharing information about the games on its website and social media.