ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Despite losing its last two games of the regular season, the Wildcats tied a Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament era record of 20 conference wins, finishing the 2017 campaign with a 33-13 record, 20-8 in the GNAC.
 
Central fell to Western Oregon Sunday afternoon by scores of 1-5 and 0-4.  With the wins, Western Oregon improves to 27-22, 14-14 in the GNAC, and advance to the GNAC Tournament as the fourth seed.  As the top overall seed in the tournament, the Wildcats will get a chance at redemption as they face the Wolves at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 in Lacey Washington.
 
Western Washington secured the second seed and will face third-seeded Saint Martin's at noon on Thursday.
 
The GNAC Tournament is a double-elimination format, with the championship series slated for Saturday, May 6 at noon.
 
In game one, Central got on the board first on a single by Julia Reuble that plated Kailyn Campbell from second base.  Unfortunately, that was the lone run for CWU, falling 1-5 in 7 innings.
 
Central Washington outhit the Wolves 11-10 and had multiple base runners in every inning but the seventh.  The Wildcats loaded the bases with just one out in the third inning, but a pair of fielders choices ended their shot at chipping away at the lead.
 
Kiana Wood picked up the loss in game one, her first since March 10, spanning 24 games.  Wood now stands at 18-2 on the season after giving up three earned runs over six innings of work. 
 
In game two, Kayla Smith held the Wolves scoreless through three innings before an RBI triple gave WOU a 1-0 lead in the fourth. 
 
A solo homerun and a pair of CWU errors led to a three-run inning by Western Oregon in the fifth inning, giving the Wolves the final 4-0 lead.
 
Up next, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference will release its end of the year awards this coming week, with the Wildcats expected to land a number of athletes on the all-conference team.
 
For more information on the GNAC Tournament visit GNACsports.com