Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Central Washington University baseball team traveled to Monmouth, Ore. and earned a split in its doubleheader with Western Oregon University, winning game one 7-6 and losing the nightcap 7-4. 
The Wildcats won the opener in dramatic fashion, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning to steal the win over WOU.  CWU tried to muster another late game rally in game two, but fell short after scoring all four runs in the final inning.
With the split the Wildcats now have a 5-5 record and are 1-1 after their first two Great Northwest Athletic Conference games.  The Wolves now stank with a 7-8 record, 1-1 in GNAC play.

Game One:

After Central scored the game's opening run in the first inning on an RBI single by JUSTEN WEIGEL (Naches Valley HS) scoring CORY WELCH (Las Vegas NV/Bishop Gorman HS), Western Oregon responded by scoring three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 3-1 lead.

The Wolves extended their lead to 4-1 with a run in the third inning, but the Wildcats responded three innings later as head coach called upon SCOTT STONE (Corvallis, OR/Cresent Valley HS) to pinch hit with runners on first and third and two outs.  Stone took full advantage of the opportunity by slugging a three-run homerun over the centerfield wall.  Stone's bomb coupled with a RBI double by ETHAN STERKEL (Ellensburg HS) gave the Wildcats a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning.

Western Oregon scored a run in both the seventh and eighth innings to regain the lead at 6-5. 

Central Washington rallied in the top of the ninth inning and scored twice on a RBI single by JOSH POTTER (Mount Rainier HS), and a run scoring bunt single by KYLE BAUMGARTNER (Enumclaw HS) that scored Potter.  With the Wildcats up 7-6, Welch came in to seal the deal as he retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, including two strikeouts to earn his second save of the season.

JAKE LEVIN (Redmond HS), who pitched just 1/3 of an inning earned the victory, his first of the season.  CWU got a decent outing from starting pitcher BRANDON WILLIAMS (Auburn Mountainview HS) who three six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits while walking and striking out three batters.




Game Two:

Western Oregon's offense took control of game two as they scored five runs in the first three innings, and added two more in the sixth to take a commanding 7-0 lead heading into the seventh and final inning.

Central Washington tried to mount a comeback rallying to score four runs in the seventh inning, but couldn't extend the rally to upend the Wolves.  Levin got the scoring started in the seventh with a two RBI single scoring Welch and Joe Castro (Union City, CA/James Logan HS).  Levin later scored on a RBI double by KASEY BIELEC (North Mason HS), and a bases loaded walk by Baumgartner scored Weigel one batter later.  With the bases loaded and a chance to take the lead or tie the game, Castro grounded out to the shortstop to end the game at the final 7-4 score.

SKYE ADAMS (Columbia River HS) started on the mound for the Wildcats and gave up five runs – four earned – on seven hits in five innings of work.

Bielec was 2 for 4 in the night cap with an RBI, and Levin was 1 for 1 with two RBI on his double in the final inning.
Western Oregon starting pitcher Matt Minnich held the CWU offense in check throwing five innings giving up just one hit.  Marcus Madden was their top hitter going 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Central Washington will finish up their series with Western Oregon with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at Noon.