ELLENSBURG, Wash (Aug. 28) – A swing and a miss was the final play for the Central Washington University baseball team as they stormed through the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Baseball Championships to claim its first title in school and conference history, defeating Western Oregon University 9-1.

The Wolves have been the only team to hoist the championship trophy before losing to the Wildcats. As the No. 2 seed in the tournament, the Wildcats eliminated Saint Martin's University in game one, Then went on to defeat No. 1 seed Western Oregon by scores of 7-3 and 9-1, respectively.

Outfielder Joe Castro was named Tournament MVP due in large part to his pivotal three-run homerun to left in the Wildcats' 7-3 victory over WOU.

STUART FEWEL tossed seven strong innings in the championship game, allowing just one unearned run. All-conference closer and GNAC New Comer of the Year CORY WELCH pitched the final two innings, striking out the side in the ninth inning. Early run production fueled the victory as First-team All-GNAC outfielder ETHAN STERKEL drove in three RBIs and JOSH POTTER plated a pair.

The talent-laden championship team was headline by GNAC pitcher of the year BRANDON WILLIAMS who was also named to the All-West Region team along with infielder KASEY BIELEC, outfielder ETHAN STERKEL and closer CORY WELCH. Infielder ERIC TINNELL earned an honorable mention.

Central Washington outscored their opponents 18-4 during the title run.