ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Mar 19) – Central Washington University catcher Austin Wilkerson extended her hitting streak to 25 games, collecting a hit in each contest as the softball team split its doubleheader with Northwest Nazarene by scores of 1-2 and 3-1.
 
Wilkerson has gotten a hit in every contest so far this season and the last two games of last season.  
 
The two teams split the season series 2-2 as the Wildcats stand with a 15-7 record and a 4-6 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  Northwest Nazarene is now 11-12 on the season, 5-5 in the GNAC.
 
The Wildcats fell being 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning of game one as the Crusaders scored two runs off of three hits and one CWU error.
 
"We had our chances in game one, but I am proud of how the players responded in the second game," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "We had great pitching and solid defense.  I thought our offense had a tough time, but I think some of that credit goes to the NNU staff, they are a good ball club."
 
The Wildcats lone run came in the fifth on an RBI single by Wilkerson to improve her hitting steak to 24 games.
 
Starting pitcher Brielle Copodonna threw all six innings, surrendering two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.  Despite out hitting NNU 7-5 the Wildcats were unable to piece together any more runs leaving seven runners stranded.
 
Central Washington struck first in game two with Copodonna doubling down the right field line scoring Michaela Hazlett in the fourth innings, breaking a 0-0 tie.
 
The Crusaders scored a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning to level the score.  The Wildcats responded with a run in the top of the sixth inning when Kailyn Campbell singled to right centerfield and, allowing Wilkerson to cross home plate on a fielding error by the right fielder.
 
Taelor Griffin pinch hit for the Wildcats to lead off the seventh inning and laced a double to right centerfield in just her second at bat of the season.  Taylor Ferleman re-entered the game for Griffin and advanced to third on a groundout by Rachael Johnson.  Celine Fowler drove Ferleman home with an infield grounder to put CWU up 3-1.
 
"Taelor has had a great attitude at practice and has really been swinging the bat well during our workouts," Larabee explained.  "A lot of credit goes to our assistant coach Keilani Cruz who gave me the idea to use Taelor.  I tell all of our players, that if you are not in the game to stay ready, stay positive and when you get your chance take advantage of it the way Taelor did today."
 
Freshman Kayla Smith again pitched game two of the doubleheader and got her second win of the season throwing all seven innings, giving up just one run and one hit.
 
"Kayla is a bulldog, she is always ready to compete and she is hungry to win," Larabee said. "For the second day she put the ball exactly where we wanted her to and was steady all game."
 
The Wildcats will next host Western Washington this coming Tuesday, Mar. 22 starting at 1 p.m.