HAYWARD, Calif. - The Pioneer softball team will open CCAA play this week with a pair of home doubleheaders against Humboldt State. The four-game series will begin on February 15 with a doubleheader on Pioneer Field beginning at 12:00 p.m. The series will conclude on February 16 with an 11:00 a.m. doubleheader.

“It's great to open CCAA play at home,” Pioneer Head Coach Barbara Pierce said. There's a lot of comfort playing on our home field. This will give us an opportunity to show people how we're really capable of playing.”

The Pioneers are 2-4 entering their CCAA opener with Humboldt State.  East Bay dropped a doubleheader to Hawaii-Hilo 6-0 and 11-0 on February 12.  As a team, the Pioneers are hitting .229,   while the pitching staff has compiled a 3.87 ERA. Chelsie Kakela leads the Pioneers in hitting with a .400 batting average. In 15 plate appearances, Kakela has six hits, one double and two triples. Kakela, with a team-best six runs scored, has a .733 slugging percentage. Nicole Adair is hitting .364, while Shaunna Purkey has a .333 batting average. Sara Pacioni, hitting .313 for the season, has a team-best three RBI.  

Pitcher Andi Andersen is 1-0, and hasn't allowed an earned run in eight innings of work. Lauren Zweigle (1-2) has a staff-best 25 strikeouts.

“We learned from the six games where we need to be as a team,” Pierce said. “Our club needs to bring it and play.”
          
ABOUT HUMBOLDT STATE
Humboldt State enters CCAA play with a 4-5 record. After nine games, the Lumberjacks have a .337 team batting average. Chrissy Stalf, batting .531 for the season, leads the Lumberjacks in hitting. Stalf has scored 13 runs, five home runs and eight RBI in 32 plate appearances. Hannah Williams, hitting .519 after nine games, has 23 RBI in 27 at bats. Leading the Lumberjack pitching staff is Lizzie Perez. In five appearances on the mound, Perez has compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 22 innings.

“Humboldt will give you a good fight,” Pierce said. “The Jacks, as well as any team we play in the CCAA, will be a battle.”

UPCOMING GAMES
Following the four-game series with Humboldt State, the Pioneers will host Cal State Monterey Bay, beginning with a February 22 doubleheader.