ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Mar. 23) – For the first time this season, the Central Washington University softball team was able to host games on Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field as they took on Western Oregon in a doubleheader. The Wildcats were happy to hit at home, knocking off the Wolves 10-2 in six innings in game one before downing them again 11-4 in game two.
"I was just really, really pleased with the way that we came out today," CWU head coach
Mike Larabee said. "We talk about all three phases of the game, first of all defense. We had just one error in both games. I'll take that all the time. I thought our pitching staff did an outstanding job today. Offensively, even our outs were hit hard. Overall it was a great team effort."
The key moment of game one between the Wildcats (17-4, 10-0) and the Wolves (12-6, 3-3) took place in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Katie Kastning came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Kastning ripped line drive into the right center field gap that scored
Bethany Balucan,
Rachael Johnson and
Savannah Egbert. Kastning's bases clearing double gave the Wildcats a 5-1 lead. Kastning was sensational for the Wildcats in game one, going 3-for-3 with three doubles, four runs batted in and a walk.
The Wolves were able to scratch across a run in the top of the fifth before the Wildcats answered in a unique way. Johnson led off the inning with a strong shot into center field. Johnson sped to second base as the ball was mishandled in the outfield, allowing Johnson to advance to third and beyond. Johnson cashed in for an inside-the-park home run. The Wildcats plated three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to pick up the win.
Lexie Strasser (8-3) was able to work around base runners in game one. She allowed 10 hits, but just two earned runs while picking up the win. Strasser pitched to her defense who grabbed nine fly outs and made seven ground outs.
In game two, the Wildcats owned a 4-3 lead going into the bottom half of the third inning.
Sydney Brown came to the plate with two runners on and one out in the inning. Brown blasted a three-run homer, boosting the Wildcats' lead to 7-3. The Wildcats continued to add on, as Johnson singled home Balucan. Balucan went 2-for-2 with two runs scored for the Wildcats in game two.
The inning continued as Egbert tripled into right center, scoring Johnson. Kastning brought home Egbert on a ground out to second. The Wildcats plated six runs in the third inning, and took a 10-4 lead into the fourth.
Taylor Williams (3-0) came on in relief of
Samantha Stanfield in the third inning. Williams pitched five innings, striking out three batters while allowing just two hits and no earned runs.
Maddy Zerr capped an outstanding offensive day for the Wildcats in the fourth inning. Zerr smoked a solo home run over the right center field fence. As a team, the Wildcats had 21 runs on 26 hits, while making just one error.
The Wildcats host another doubleheader tomorrow, this time against Concordia (Ore.). First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
"It's the GNAC, there are no easy games," Larabee said. "We have a target on our back right now, which is a good thing. Concordia (Ore.) is a much-improved team. We have to come out and compete like we did today."
