Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
HTML Box Scores: Game 1 / Game 2

MONMOUTH, Ore. (Apr. 27) -- Senior Elena Carter (Olympia/Black Hills HS) hit a two-run home run in game one, and freshman Andrea Hamada (Walla Walla) was 3 for 3 with a RBI in game two, but the Central Washington University softball team dropped a pair of close games to host Western Oregon University on Saturday afternoon. Game scores were 4-3 and 4-1.

The Wildcats (19-16, 13-9 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) did secure a berth in the inaugural GNAC Tournament in spite of their two losses on Saturday. They will be the number four seed in the four-team tournament that begins next Thursday (May 2) in Billings, Mont. Western Oregon finished its regular season with a 27-24 overall record and a 16-8 conference mark.

GAME ONE: Western Oregon 4, CWU 3
Carter hit her sixth home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game, but a double by Amanda Evola in the bottom of the sixth inning gave Western Oregon a 4-3 victory.

Each team scored once in the second inning before the host Wolves tallied two runs (one earned) in the bottom of the third to take a two-run lead. Carter then tied the game with a blast to center field after Jill McDaniels (Walla Walla) had singled and Maikala Galusha (Battle Ground) hit into a fielder's choice to start the inning.

CWU junior Maria Gau (Woodinville) allowed just five hits over six innings of work, but the last of those five proved costly. Danielle Hannan had walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth, and despite back-to-back outs, a stolen base and passed ball put Hannan in scoring position and Evola then doubled to score the game-winning run.

The Wildcats were retired in order in the top of the seventh as Hannah Pomeroy (14-7) earned the complete-game win for Western Oregon.

Galusha had two hits and a pair of runs scored for the Wildcats, while Evola was also 2 for 3 to lead WOU at the plate.

GAME TWO: Western Oregon 4, CWU 1
CWU again finished with six hits, including a three-hit performance by its shortstop, Hamada, but consecutive two-run innings by Western Oregon gave the hosts the 4-1 victory.

The Wildcats' lone run of the game came in the top of the fourth as McDaniels led off with a walk and Carter followed with a single. After a fly out, Hamada scored McDaniels with a single to left field to put CWU in front, 1-0.

Western Oregon responded in the bottom of the inning, however, as Danielle Harcourt had a RBI single and Elaine Sperry added a sacrifice fly to give the Wolves a one-run lead. Bridjet Box then provided some insurance in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out, two-run double.

Hamada accounted for half of the Wildcats' hits, while Melanie Pfeiffer was 3 for 3 to lead WOU. Jourdan Williams picked up the pitching victory.

CWU wraps up the 2013 regular season on Sunday, visiting Saint Martin's University for a noon doubleheader in Lacey.