2008 Woodie Awards
'Jacks bolster standings in weekend series
Women's Softball sweeps UCSD
Matt Drange
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
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With the bases loaded and Humboldt State down 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, junior Caitlin Klug took a 0-1 pitch and deposited it over the right field fence for a grand slam, lifting the Lumberjacks over UC San Diego 5-3. Humboldt State was able to skate by what was thought to be one of its foremost league challengers, as it swept a four-game weekend series and regained control of the standings with just two weeks to go in the regular season.
The standout second baseman recognized the importance of the moment, as she said after the game that going in she knew it was a huge series for her team. Klug drove in 7 runs while tallying 8 hits from her leadoff position, keeping the energized crowd on its toes for her third home run of the weekend. "I just wanted to put the ball in outfield - that's what we're trained to do. I was just lucky that it went out," said Klug after her blast sealed the Tritons' fate for the fourth game in a row and possibly the season.
Humboldt State now leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association by three games in the loss column over Cal State Stanislaus, with a league mark of 17-7 to go with an overall record of 40-14. UC San Diego fell back into a tie for fourth place, which could mean a trip back up to Arcata in three weeks for the playoffs against a No. 1-seeded Lumberjacks team.
Lizzy Prescott was able to dominate an opposing team's lineup once again, pitching all four games while pushing her impressive record to 31-7. She fanned 12 batters in the opening game on Friday and allowed just two hits while recording the shutout - despite the fact that the offense only supplied her with a one-run cushion. Game two was a different story, however, as Prescott got plenty of help in an 8-3 victory while striking out 11 with another complete game effort. The 'Jacks were powered by veterans Klug, Natalie Galletly, and Francesca West, who drove in a combined five runs off a trio of unfortunate Triton pitchers.
Saturday's contests showcased Humboldt State's ability to win close games, as Prescott chipped in another complete game to shut out UC San Diego for the second time in as many days in game one, this time 2-0. Head coach Frank Cheek, who last week took out his star pitcher midway through a game the 'Jacks later went on to lose, left Prescott in to pitch the final game.
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