LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Central Washington University junior Jacie McDaniel's hit two homeruns and drove in six run, helping the softball team split its opening games of the 2017 season at the Montana State Billings Desert Stinger Tournament.
 
The Wildcats defeated 18^th ranked California Baptist 11-7 in the opener and fell to Concordia University Irvine 1-5 in the nightcap.
 
McDaniels went 3 for 8 on the day, and made all three hits count, as each scored teammates in the process.  In the opener she went 2 for 4 with two home runs, a two-run blast in the third and a three-run shot in the fifth.  She finished game two 1 for 4, plating the only CWU run on a double in the first inning.
 
Kailyn Campbell and Julia Reuble both collected four hits on the day, both a team-high, with Campbell adding two RBI on the day.
 
Game 1: 11-5 Victory over #18 Cal Baptist
 
The Wildcats recorded five errors in the contest, all of which resulted in scores for the Lancers.  The lead changed sides six times in the game, and McDaniels three-run homerun in the fifth highlighted a seven run inning for the Wildcats with Celine Fowler and Campbell each driving in runs in the frame.
 
Kayla Smith pitched the final four innings of the game, holding the Lancers scoreless, with no walks and three strikeouts to pick up her first win of the season.  Kiana Wood started in the circle for CWU, going three innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs, of which just two were earned.
 
The Wildcats totaled 11 hits, four extra-base hits, and Campbell, Savannah Egbert and Rachel Johnson each swiped a base in the game.
 
Game 2: 1-5 Loss to Concordia University Irvine
 
McDaniels got things started, scoring Sammy Morris who singled to center field earlier in the inning.  The Wildcats remained scoreless for the remainder of the game, collecting nine hits and ending each of the final five innings with runners in scoring position.
 
Smith, who picked up the victory in game one, also took the loss in game two giving up three runs, one earned, on three hits and collected six strikeouts.  Freshman Kylie Sweeney saw her first collegiate action throwing the final innings, leaving Concordia scoreless with a strikeout.
 
The Wildcats return to action tomorrow for another doubleheader starting with Cal State Dominguez Hills at 11:30 a.m.
 
Egbert and Reuble both went 2 for 4 in the game.