ARCATA, Calif. - The Sonoma State softball team was three outs from upsetting the No. 9 team in the nation Sunday afternoon in the finale of the Al Cooper Tournament, but Humboldt State showed why they are ranked ninth nationally with a seventh-inning rally to steal a 4-3 win.

The Seawolves (14-20 overall, 5-11 CCAA) led 3-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. Humboldt State wasted no time in starting the rally as Marissa Slattery led the inning off with a home run to center field to tie the score at 3-3. Sonoma State pitcher Simone Brandalise (4-9) retired the next two hitters before HSU got a single then an RBI triple to take a 4-3 lead.

Sonoma State, playing as the home team because of a tournament rule, got a chance in the bottom of the seventh, but was unable to record a baserunner.

Freshman rightfielder Claire Hiney gave the Seawolves the lead in the first inning when her lead-off home run sparked a three-run first inning. Hiney finished the day 1-for-3. For the tournament Hiney was 6-for-14 with a double and a home run.

SSU second baseman Alex Winters went 2-for-3 with a double to remain one of the hottest hitters in the CCAA. For the tournament Winters was 8-for-14 with two doubles, two stolen bases, a triple, three runs scored and three RBIs. After a slow start to the season, Winters has come on strong to improve her batting average to .320.

Hiney and Winters were named to the Al Cooper All-Tournament team. Sonoma State finished with tied with Western Oregon with a 1-3 record. Tournament host, Humboldt State, won the tourney with a 4-0 record.

Sonoma State is back in action Friday, March 23, when it travels to face No. 3 Cal State Stanislaus for a four-game CCAA weekend series with doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. Friday's  doubleheader begins at 1:00 pm in Turlock.

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