ELLENSBURG, Wash (April. 24) – The Central Washington University softball team dropped a double header versus archrival Western Washington University losing 4-1, and 7-6. The team also honored military members of the past and present prior to a double header versus WWU Saturday afternoon as the team closes out its final home stand of the season.
The two losses knocks the Wildcats out of playoff contention as their record falls to 18-23 overall and 9-13 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, as the Vikings improve to 26-16 overall and 15-7 in conference.
Military Day saw a host of festivities that included three honorary members, Kevin McFadden (Army),
Charity McCright (Army) and
Mike Garoutte (Navy) who threw out the first pitch, and the team hosted a homerun derby between games one and two.
GAME ONE: CWU - 1 WWU - 4 201 | 010 | 0
100 | 000 | 0
The Vikings struck first in the top of the opening frame with two runs on a screaming line drive double from WWU clean up hitter.
Central Washington answered back in the home half of the first inning when
Kailyn Campbell drove in
Sammy Morris with a sacrifice fly.
The Wildcats threatened again in the second inning when
Kiana Wood singled to lead off, and
Michaela Hazlett reached on a bunt single. But with the bases loaded and two outs WWU starting pitcher induced Campbell into a harmless fly ball to centerfield for the third out.
Wood made her 16
th start of the season tossing seven innings of six hit ball. She allowed four runs, only three of which were earned while striking out six Viking batters.
The Vikings used lone runs in the third and fifth innings to build their lead to 4-1, but the Wildcats mounted a comeback in the final inning.
Campbell lead off the seventh with a triple to right center, but would be later gunned down at home on a fielder's choice as the Wildcats failed to score.
GAME TWO: CWU – 6 WWU – 7000 | 012 | 4
005 | 010 | 0
Lindsey Kamphuis started game two out very strong. The starter was cruising into the fourth inning. She had not allowed a run and was aided by a five-run third inning to give the starter a big cushion.
Kamphuis threw seven innings allowing eight runs, only two of which were earned and struck out one Viking batter.
In the third inning, the first seven Wildcats would reach base.
Alexa Olague singled to leftfield to begin the parade. After pinch runner
Michaela Hazlett stole second and third base, she would come around to score on error created by a hard ground ball by
Sammy Morris.
Kailyn Campbell would then rip a 0-0 pitch into leftfield for another run as the Wildcats churned out four hits in the inning and batted around.
The Vikings tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth inning to cut the Wildcat lead to 6-3.
With three outs remaining in the game the Vikings worked the bases loaded. Kamphuis quickly got an out on a comebacker. The next batter hit a ground ball that struck a Viking base runner for the second out. With two outs and the bases still juiced, the next batter hit a deep fly ball to centerfield.
Celine Fowler had a beat on it, but the ball kept carrying and as Fowler jumped to catch it, the ball cleared the 215 sign, even tipping off Fowler's glove, in center for a go-ahead grand slam.
The Wildcats would get the first two batters on base in the home seventh inning, but couldn't find the answer as next three batters failed to get the tying run across the plate.
The Wildcats will take the field again this Sunday for the final two home games of the season. On top of honoring three graduating seniors, the day will include an ALS fundraiser with all proceeds directly benefiting ALS research.
First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
