LACEY, Wash (Apr. 28) – The Central Washington University lost a close battle with Saint Martin's by a score of 2-0 in the first round of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament.  With the loss, the top seeded Wildcats will face off with Concordia University tomorrow, Apr. 29 at 12:30 p.m.

Saint starting pitcher Kim Nelson held the Wildcats hitless in the first two inning as the score remained 0-0.  In the bottom of the third inning Andrea Hamada led off with a single to right field and Celine Fowler followed with an infield single, but the Wildcats were unable to capitalize, entering the fourth inning stilled tied at 0.

"This was a very tough game for us offensively, and hats off to Saint Martin's who hit the ball and held us off the bases," CWU Head Coach Mike Larabee said.  "We finally got to their starting pitcher but we could not piece hits together to get them around to score."


Saint Martin's got on the board in the top of the fifth inning off a fielding error by the Wildcats that allowed the run to come across and give SMU a late 5-0 lead.
CWU start Kiana wood gave up nine hits over five innings of work, Brielle Copodonna came in in the top of the sixth and immediately forced a double play and a ground out to retire the Saints in order.

The Wildcats got the leadoff batter on base in the top of the sixth but was unable get her around as they entered the final inning down 0-1.

Copodonna nearly escaped a seventh inning jam, but the Saint were able to push one run across and enter the bottom half of the inning with a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats again got a runner on in the seventh inning, and with two outs, pinch hitter Laura Steiner hit a ball that was caught right against the left field fence for the final out of the ball game.

Nelson held the Wildcats to just three hits over the course of seven innings with Celine Fowler, Kailyn Campbell and Andrea Hamada recording the safeties.

"We are ready to get back out there and play our brand of softball," Larabee added.  "We were solid in the circle and defensively, but if we want to get to where we want to be we need score runs.  We need to be excellent in all facets of the game."


The Wildcats will next play Concordia University in a loser out contest tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. and if they win they will play again at 3:00 p.m. against the loser of Saint Martin's and Western Oregon who play at 10:00 a.m.