Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)

MONMOUTH, Ore. (May 7) -- Junior Lauren Hadenfeld (Vancouver/Evergreen HS) threw a one-hit shutout and Central Washington University scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to defeat Western Oregon University, 2-0, and secure an automatic berth to the 2010 NCAA Division II Softball Championship in the opening game of a softball doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The Wildcats then completed the doubleheader sweep with a 5-3, come-from-behind win in game two.

The Wildcats extended their winning streak to a school-record 11 games and broke the school's all-time single-season record for victories by improving to 35-13 overall and 30-8 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Second-place Western Oregon fell to 32-19 and 26-12 in the GNAC.

Hadenfeld (20-4) allowed just one baserunner in the seven-inning game -- a fifth-inning double to Amanda Fleer -- en route to her fifth shutout of the season. And while the GNAC's strikeout leader fanned just five Wolves hitters on the day, she induced 11 fly ball outs.

The game was a true pitcher's duel through the first four innings, as Central's Danielle Monson (Marysville/Marysville-Pilchuck HS) led off the game with a single and was the lone baserunner in the first four frames as Hadenfeld and Western Oregon's Jessica Wood were deadlocked in a scoreless tie. The Wildcats broke the deadlock in the fifth by getting a pair of runners on with one out. An infield single by sophomore Jennifer Schwartz (Spokane/Shadle Park HS) and ensuing throwing error plated the Wildcats' first run, and Monson blooped a single to left field two batters later to extend the margin to two runs.

After Fleer delivered Western Oregon's lone hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth and was sacrificed to third, Hadenfeld retired consecutive hitters -- to start a streak of eight consecutive outs -- to escape with the shutout intact.

Central had an opportunity for more insurance tallies in the seventh inning by collecting two hits but they were unable to score.

The Wildcats managed just five hits in the game from three players. Monson and Schwartz each had two hits, while designated player Taylor Trautmann (Renton/John F. Kennedy HS).

In the second game, CWU fell behind 3-0 after two innings, but senior Katriina Reime (Hoquiam) tossed six scoreless innings of relief and the Wildcat offense rallied for five runs between the third and fifth innings to steal the 5-3 victory.

After their early deficit, Central junior Samantha Petrich (Chehalis/W.F. West HS) cut into the deficit with a two-out, two-run double in the third inning. The Wildcats then tied the game one inning later on Schwartz's RBI double that scored pinch-runner Devin Larson (Puyallup/John Rogers HS).

In the fifth, Monson and Keilani Cruz (Tacoma/Curtis HS) led off with consecutive singles before Petrich, who now has 60 RBI on the season, scored Monson with the go-ahead run. Two batters later, senior Ashley Fix (Puyallup) gave the Wildcats an insurance run with a sacrifice fly.

Reime (7-0) scattered five hits and induced 13 ground ball outs in relief of sophomore Lindy Baxter (Lacey/River Ridge HS). Monson and Petrich provided the Wildcats with offensive support with two hits apiece, while Cruz scored a pair of runs.

Western Oregon finished the game with a 9-8 hits advantage, with Tyler Sutherland and Andrea Bailey finishing with two hits each for the Wolves. Bailey Rueck had a two-run single in the first inning to lead WOU in the RBI department.

The two teams conclude the regular season on Saturday with a noon doubleheader in Monmouth. CWU will then learn of its postseason seeding and destination on Monday morning at 7 a.m. Pacific Time with the announcement of the tournament bracket. Links and more postseason information will be made available on www.wildcatsports.com.