LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb 13) – The Central Washington University softball team started off its 2015 campaign with wins over New Mexico Highlands University and nineteenth-ranked Humboldt State University at the Montana State University Desert Stinger Friday.
Kiana Wood (1-0) picked up the win in the opener and catcher
Austin Wilkerson provided more than enough power with a first inning grand slam and a sacrifice fly in the fifth to power the Wildcats to a 9-5 win over NMHU.
CWU used a balanced offense and strong pitching by
Lindsey Kamphuis in the nightcap to defeat HSU 10-3.
Sophomore shortstop
Taylor Ferleman was 6 for 9 on the day driving in four runs. Leadoff hitter
Sammy Morris also added six hits on the day and scored four times.
Game One – 9-5 win over New Mexico Highlands New Mexico Highlands took an early 2-0 lead off a two-run homerun off CWU starting pitcher
Brielle Copodonna. The Wildcats were quick to respond with
Sammy Morris leading the inning off with a single followed by a double by Ferleman. After a
Kailyn Campbell walk, Wilkerson cleared the bases with a grand slam homerun to right center field to give CWU a 4-2 lead. The Wildcats weren't done yet, adding an additional run in the opening inning on a RBI single by
Remy Bradley that scored
Katie Focher.
Central Washington scored an inning later on an NMHU error scoring Campbell from third base. Ferleman picked up her second hit of the game in the third inning, plating
Michaela Hazlett and giving the Wildcats a healthy 7-2 lead.
The Cowgirls scored twice in the fourth inning and once in the fifth to cut the CWU lead to 7-5.
Central Washington added some insurance runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning with Ferleman adding another RBI single and Wilkerson producing her fifth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly that scored Morris.
Sophomore pitcher Wood shut the door on the Cowgirls allowing the Wildcat to take home the 9-5 victory and earning her first win of the 2015 season.
Game Two – 10-3 Win over #19 Humboldt State What started out as a pitching duel, ended in a seven run win for the Wildcats. Through four full innings both teams went scoreless with CWU Kamphuis allowing just one hit.
In the fifth inning, the Wildcats exploded to score five runs highlighted by a three run home run by
Michaela Hazlett. The Lumberjacks scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning as the teams entered the sixth inning with CWU holding a 5-3 lead.
The Wildcats added two more runs in the sixth inning on a double-steal that scored Morris from third, followed by a RBI single by freshman
Celine Fowler.
Central Washington three insurance runs in the seventh inning, the final run coming on a pinch-hit double by Wood.
Kamphuis threw all seven innings giving up three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
The Wildcats next play Dixie State University and Cal State Dominguez Hills tomorrow, Feb 14. At 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. respectively.
