Softball | 5/11/2016 5:44:00 PM

Box Score ARCATA, Calif. (May 11) – The Central Washington University softball team lost its opening game of the NCAA Division II Super West Regional to Humboldt State University by a score of 7-3.
 
The two teams will face off again tomorrow, May 12 at noon.  In the double elimination format, the Wildcats will have to win the noon contest to force a decisive third game that would start at 2:30 p.m.
 
"We had our chances today, and we didn't capitalize on them," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "Much credit to HSU, they played a great game.  We got some good information about our opponent today and it will help with our game plan tomorrow."
 
After a scoreless first inning the Lumberjacks took advantage of a leadoff single, eventually scoring that runner from third base on a single to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats had their chances in the third inning with two runners on and two outs but was unsuccessful with bringing a run around.
 
Humboldt State added to its lead in the third inning, loading the bases and scoring twice on a single up the middle followed by a two-run double to take a 5-0 lead.
 
In the fifth inning the Wildcats came alive scoring three runs on a bases loaded walk by Alexa Olague and a big two-run double by Austin Wilkerson to cut the HSU advantage to 5-3.
 
"The fifth inning was huge for us, it got us right back into the game," Larabee added.  "Unfortunately we didn't execute the way we are capable defensively and Humboldt took advantage of that."
 
The Lumberjacks added another run in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-3 lead heading into the sixth.
 
Humboldt State tacked on one more run in the sixth inning to go ahead 7-3, and the Wildcats went down in order in the seventh inning, ending the game.
 
Kailyn Campbell went 2 for 3 in the game, including a double and a walk.  Wilkerson has one hit, but it went to the fence and drove in two runs.
 
Humboldt State pitcher Madison Williams gave up four hits and struck out 10 batters.