TRACY, Calif. – The Montana State University Billings softball team finished it's week of action at the 2026 NorCal Crossover, falling to Cal Poly Humboldt 5-2.
 
The game would conclude a five-game slate on the weekend, with the Yellowjackets (2-17) rebounding and showing fight as they built momentum late in the week. The game would be a tightly contested affair, with MSUB totaling eight hits to the Lumberjack's (8-11) ten in the game. But with a similar amount of opportunities, it would be the tournament hosts who would convert more of their baserunners into runs on the scoreboard, seeing off a bottom of the seventh bases loaded situation from the 'Jackets to lock in a win.
 
Starting the game with a walk and stolen base before MSUB could record an out, Humboldt would put MSUB in an early hole with a ground-rule double scoring its opening run of the game in the top of the first inning. But Avery Gray would settle in for the 'Jackets in the circle, stopping the Lumberjackets from scoring anymore in the top of the first. MSUB would have a chance to flip that start on it's head in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back doubles from Wynter Hurst and Grace Hood, but the pair would be stranded at first and second to spell an end to the scoring effort.
 
The Lumberjackets would then hold the 'Jackets scoreless across the next two innings, while tacking on an RBI-single to grow their lead to two. The Yellowjackets would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth however, with an RBI-double from senior Alexis Tovar giving MSUB it's first run of the ballgame. But as soon as MSUB would get a run back, Humboldt would respond with a run of it's own in the top of the fifth to restore the lead. The 'Jackets would prevent the Lumberjacks from pulling away though, and after pitching a clean top of the sixth, Ashley Akers and Destiny Villas would begin the bottom of the inning, setting MSUB up in a spot with two runs in scoring position and one out after advancing on a groundout. Cazz Rankosky, who stepped in to run for Akers, would find her way home after a potential fielder's choice situation would see Cal Poly Humboldt unable to make a clean play at the plate, but with the tying run just one bag away, an unfortunate break for the 'Jackets would see a well hit ball caught at short, and throw back to the bag to end the inning with a double play.
 
Humboldt would look to pull away after plating a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, picking up a pair of unearned runs after an error to open the inning set the Lumberjacks up well. But MSUB wouldn't go down easy, with Marleigh Nieto singling and stealing a base before Hood and Akers would keep the game alive with consecutive walks, loading the bases and sending the winning run to the plate with two outs. But MSUB would be unable to extend the game further, striking out to end the game as Humboldt escaped with the win.
 
Hurst would finish the game 3-4 at the dish, doubling once. Nieto would go 1-4 with a steal, while Hood and Villas would each hit 1-3, with Villas scoring a run. Tovar and Akers would finish 1-2 at the plate, with Tovar driving in a run, while Josie Theilen would score MSUB's other RBI. Gray would throw the first three innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out a pair, while Shelby Wasilewski stepped in to finish the final four innings of action, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits.
 
THE BUZZ: Hurst was awarded as Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets have a week off before jumping into GNAC play, kicking off a four-game series on Friday March 13 with a doubleheader against Northwest Nazarene University. Games are set for 12 & 2 PM in Nampa, Idaho at Bobby Welch Halle Softball Field. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, and live statistics will be available here.