Cal Poly Humboldt Softball Walks Off Dominguez Hills Amid Mixed Weekend Results

Marissa Brody's two-RBI single to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Cal Poly Humboldt a 6-5 walk-off win over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday, igniting a home-opening weekend at the Humboldt Softball Field in Arcata that ended with the Lumberjacks claiming a 3-1 series advantage over the Toros.

Cal Poly Humboldt swept a CCAA doubleheader on Friday afternoon, winning the walk-off opener before taking the second game 9-5. The victories came after the program had opened the season with 25 consecutive games on the road, with Humboldt sitting at 12-15 and 3-3 in CCAA play entering the home debut.

Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the 'Jacks scored three runs to complete the comeback. Shelby Shanks drove in a run with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one before Brody delivered the decisive blow.

Olivia Hurtado was the highlight of a five-run second inning in game two, connecting on a three-run home run, while Brody added an RBI single and a sacrifice fly. Shanks contributed an RBI single early and a two-run double late as Humboldt held off a Toros rally in the fifth.

Saturday's doubleheader delivered a split. After falling 7-4 in game one, the Lumberjacks rallied for a thrilling 5-4 win in game two, highlighted by Katlyn Gifford's go-ahead three-run home run and a game-ending double play from Bella Garcia. With Dominguez Hills loading the bases in the top of the seventh with one out, Garcia snagged a line drive at third base and immediately dove to tag the runner, ending the game on a double play.

Lily Fournier went the distance in the circle in the series finale, scattering 11 hits while allowing four runs, three earned, to earn the complete-game victory. Gifford drove in five runs across Saturday's two games and Garcia totaled four hits on the day.

Head coach Megan Corriea credited leadership as the driving force behind the winning streak. "We've had Shelby Shanks with a big day and Marissa Brody obviously hitting that big walk-off to win the game," Corriea said. "She again had a great day at the plate. They're starting to take control of the team and really help everybody feel more comfortable, taking the reins and everyone's following."

Corriea also noted the team's resilience throughout the weekend. "They never backed down, even when we were trailing, and you saw that resilience come through in big moments. It's all about finding ways to win."

Humboldt finished the weekend at 13-16 overall and 4-4 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, while Dominguez Hills dropped to 22-13 and 4-8 in conference. The Lumberjacks hit the road next week for a key CCAA series, traveling to face No. 3 Cal State East Bay beginning Friday.