TURLOCK — In an early-season key regional match-up between Mizuno Best of the West Invitational host Cal State Stanislaus and defending national champion Humboldt State, the intense game was a battle from the start.

In the end, the second-ranked Lumberjacks narrowly defeated the Warriors, 2-0, in front of a standing-room only crowd at Field 1 at Turlock's Pedretti Sports Complex. The No. 14 Cal State Stanislaus Warriors quickly bounced back in their second game of the day with a 9-0, five-inning mercy-rule victory over Davis and Elkins of West Virginia.

HSU's Lindsay Warren belted a two-run homer opposite way to right in the fifth inning to provide the only difference in the game. Humboldt State has now won 13 straight over Cal State Stanislaus since the Warriors won the Best of the West Invitational in 2007 when they beat HSU 3-0.

"It was just one pitch that made the difference, either way," CSUS head coach Jan Schefkowitz said. "The streak (against HSU) doesn't even matter because each year is a different team."

It literally was a difference of a pitch for both sides. The game eventually came down to a drive by Stanislaus left-fielder Kimiko Wright to deep centerfield that HSU's All-American outfielder Chrissy Motzny caught as she knocked over the fence to end the game. Jennie Arnold had started the Stanislaus seventh with a single to left, but Erica McIntyre flew out to short center field and Alyssa Guzman became the 13th Warrior batter to strikeout to set up the Wright at-bat.

The Warriors had two lead-off doubles in the game but both times stranded the runners on base. HSU starter Gracie Perez, the tournament's most valuable player, got the four-hit shutout and struck out 13.

"We played well and some of our newer players now know the level we play and how we can compete against good teams," Schefkowitz added.

In the second game, the bats came alive as the Warriors used a five-run third and a three-run fourth for the five-inning 9-0 win over Davis and Elkins. Hailey Torba and Meghan Franksen both homered and doubled with Franksen driving in four runs. Torba had two RBIs. Ashlee Genseal also had two hits.

Arnold got the win by working four innings. She allowed just two hits and struck out five before giving way to Stacey Hains for the final inning.

Both Arnold and Britney Borba were named to the All-Tournament team.

The Warriors will open the California Collegiate Athletic Association season next weekend at San Bernardino Friday and Saturday. They will also play a pair of games against two teams from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on Sunday.

All-Tournament Team
MVP: Gracie Perez, Humboldt State
Francesca West, Humboldt State
Marissa Slattery, Humboldt State
Jennie Arnold, Cal State Stanislaus
Britney Borba, Cal State Stanislaus
Kristyn Lesvosky, UC San Diego
Amanda Eliades, UC San Diego
Tana Holtorf, Grand Canyon
Emily EcEwen, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Rebecca Tsatsa, Montana State Billings
Terina Stacks, Montana State Billings
Courtney Wilhelms, Cal State San Bernardino