Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

BELLINGHAM (Mar. 26) -- Freshman HEIDY WELLS (Tacoma/Stadium HS) threw a complete-game five-hitter and went 2 for 3 at the plate, and senior JEN SCHWARTZ (Spokane/Shadle Park HS) was 3 for 3 with a double and two runs batted in as the Central Washington University softball team snapped a five-game losing streak with a 6-1 win over host Western Washington University on Monday afternoon at Viking Field. The Wildcats salvaged a split of the doubleheader after falling in the opener, 5-0.

CWU is now 9-15 overall and 8-11 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, while WWU fell to 6-20 overall and 4-12 in the conference.

Wells, who earned her second win against five defeats this season, scattered the five hits over her seven-inning complete game. The lone extra-base hit she allowed -- a fourth-inning home run by Amanda Flores -- also accounted for Western Washington's only run of the game.

Central Washington took advantage of five WWU errors in the second game, as all six of the Wildcats' runs were unearned. They went ahead 2-0 in the third inning on a two-run double by junior catcher CASSI ELLIS (East Wenatchee/Eastmont HS). After Flores' homer in the fourth, CWU responded with four more runs in the top of the fifth inning, as consecutive one-out errors loaded the bases. Senior MOLLY COPPINGER (Belfair/North Mason HS) singled to drive in a run, followed by a fielder's choice from senior LIZ JUSKO (Snohomish). Two batters later, Schwartz delivered a two-run single to push the lead to 6-1.

The Wildcats finished with a 10-5 edge in hits, led by Schwartz and Wells. Coppinger also finished 2 for 4 in the game. In the pitching circle, Wells struck out two and walked just one.

In the opener, Central Washington fell behind 5-0 after two innings of play and was never able to figure out WWU pitcher Jenna DeRosier in the five-run loss.

Ellis accounted for two of the three Wildcat hits in the game, singling in the second and seventh innings, while senior BRE THOMAS (Vancouver/Columbia River HS) led off the game with a bunt single.

Western Washington scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second, with Kristen Allen scoring the game's first run and then driving home the final two with her second-inning double against CWU sophomore pitcher MARIA GAU (Woodinville). Gau, who fell to 5-8 on the season, struck out five but walked three and allowed nine hits over six innings of work.

Central Washington will remain on the road this weekend, making its annual trek to the Tournament of Champions, presented by Mizuno, in Turlock, Calif. The Wildcats play three games on Friday (Mar. 30), facing Humboldt State, UC San Diego, and San Francisco State, with two games slated for Saturday (Mar. 31). Bracket play, based on pool-play results, will take place on Sunday (Apr. 1).