ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Apr. 16) --  It was senior day for the Central Washington University softball team, and seniors Brielle Copodonna and Alexa Olague made sure it would be a memorable day, leading the Wildcats to a pair of victories over saint Martin's University by scores of 9-0 and 5-0.
 
Both Olague and Copodonna hit homeruns on the day, with Copodonna hitting two in the opener, the last a walkoff homerun to give the Wildcats the 9-0 victory, enforcing the mercy rule in the fifth inning.  Olague's blast came in game two, a two run homerun to deep left field. 
 
"It is an unexplainable feeling, it is pretty cool to go out like this.  Hitting one at home is really awesome but being senior day it made it even more memorable," Olague said.  "We were playing for first place so that added to our motivation to go out and make a statement.  It wasn't just about us seniors, we are playing for much more."
 
With the pair of victories the Wildcats improve to 31-10 on the season and 15-7 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, taking sole possession of first place over the Saints to fell to 31-13, 14-8 in the GNAC.
 
In addition to her homeruns, Copodonna was masterful in the circle in game two allowing just four hits to earn the complete game shutout and improve to 9-7 on the season.  The senior hurler only allowed five base runners all game and needed just 69 pitches to get the win.
 
In game one, Kiana Wood was just as impressive as Copodonna, allowing just two hits over five innings with one walk and two strikeouts.
 
"Our pitchers were on today," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "They hit their spots and relied on our defense to be excellent, which is what happened."
 
The Wildcats came into the day with the conferences best defense and improved upon those numbers by committing no errors over the course of two games.
 
The Wildcats outhit the Saints 20-6, and hit a total of four homeruns.  Kailyn Campbell joined Olague and Copodonna with a towering three run homerun to centerfield in the opener.  Campbell finished the game 2 for 3 with four runs batted in.  Campbell is just three RBI away from breaking the all-time record held by her former coach, Mallory Holtman-Fletcher.
 
Celine Fowler added three hits, three runs and a RBI on the day.
 
The Wildcats finished the bottom of the seventh of game two with all seven seniors on the field.  Coach Larabee subbed in Remy Bradley, Michaela Hazlett and Bailee Wetmore to play alongside Olague, Copodonna, Austin Wilkerson and Andrea Hamada, as the Wildcat seniors put down the Saints in order and the seven seniors celebrated with their teammates.
 
"Each of these seniors deserved to be on the field today," Larabee added.  "It was good to see all of them on the field together and it was an even better feeling to watch them compete.  Getting two wins on senior day and taking over first place is a good way to end their home careers.  However, the season isn't over yet, and I sat the team down and told them to continue to be excellent in everything they do and that we have to turn around and play again tomorrow."
 
The Wildcats and Saint's conclude their four-game series tomorrow, Apr. 17 in Lacey, Wash starting at 1 p.m.