ARCATA, Calif. --- The CSU Monterey Bay softball team defeated nationally ranked #5 Humboldt State 5-0 in their first game of the 2008 CCAA Softball Championships powered by the pitching of #Angela Cabral# and a 3-run home-run by #Homa Shafii#.

The game remained scoreless for the first four innings until the fifth when an error on HSU advanced #Marisa Trujillo# to first and #Ashlee Trotter# subsequently reached on a fielder's choice. After both #Alma Lopez# and #Erica Wacker# came in to pinch run and immediately stole both second and third, #Casey Kaufman# hit a hard single to drive in Lopez. After Humboldt recorded the second out, Shafii drove in three more runs with her fifth home-run of the season to bring the game to 4-0.

CSUMB recorded another run in the seventh after Shafii hit a double and was driven in by a #Shae Olds# single.

Cabral (19-8) led the Otters from the mound, pitching her second shutout of the year against the 'Jacks. Key to the effort was her control, not allowing any walks in the game. Powering the offense was Kaufman going 4-4 with 1 RBI, and Shafii going 2-4, with 3 RBI and a home-run.

"I couldn't have done it without my defense", said Cabral. "They always do well but they did very well today. I didn't win this game by myself." Shafii was thrilled after the game saying, "I feel good for my team that we went out there and proved our talent like we have all year long".

The loss went to CCAA Pitcher of the Year Lizzy Prescott (38-9) who gave up no earned runs. Hannah Jones came in to pitch relief in the seventh inning and gave up one earned run.

"I expect nothing less from this team", said head coach Andrea Kenney. "There was never a doubt that we could play with [Humboldt] and we proved it today".

The Otters improve to an overall record of 35-22 while Humboldt falls to 47-16. CSUMB will now face CSU Stanislaus (28-22) tomorrow in the second round of the championships. First pitch is at 1:00pm. Live stats for the game are available here.

[VIEW COMPLETE GAME RESULTS]