Thursday, May 12, 2016

ARCATA, Calif. – Central Washington came back to win after losing in their first two postseason tournaments, but it didn’t come together a third time as the Wildcats saw their season end in an 11-2, six-inning loss to Humboldt State in the NCAA Division II Softball West Super Regional at the HSU Softball Field.

The Wildcats failed to convert on a pair of golden scoring opportunities in the first two innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning. In all, Central Washington left 10 runners on base, seven in the first three innings.

Humboldt State, playing as the visiting team, wasted little time by putting single runs on the board in the first and third. Winona Vigil scored the run in the first when she doubled and scored on Julie Pena’s sacrifice fly. Vigil accounted for the run in the third with her leadoff home run to left center field.

The Lumberjacks started breaking it open with a three-run fifth inning, punctuated by Illa Haley’s two-run homer to left field. The Wildcats responded with a pair of runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame. Kailyn Campbell led off with a solo home run to left field. Austin Wilkerson then reached on a one-out double and pinch-runner Remy Bradley scored on Taylor Ferleman’s single through the left side.

Humboldt State dealt the final blow with a six-run sixth that put the game out of reach. Vigil started it with a one-out double and scored on a double by Tiffany Hollingsworth. Pinch-runner Carly Perkins scored three batters later on a bases loaded walk. That set the table for Haley, who hammered a grand slam over the left field wall. Central Washington was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth.

Kiana Wood took the loss for Central Washington in the circle. She dropped to 20-8 on the season by allowing six runs on nine hits with five walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Katie Obbema, the D2CCA West Region Pitcher of the Year, earned the win by allowing two runs on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts in the complete game effort.

Vigil led Humboldt State offensively by going 3 for 3 with two doubles, three runs and a RBI. Haley went 2 for 4 with the two home runs and six RBI. Campbell and Ferleman each had two hits to lead Central Washington.