BILLINGS, Mont. – Five home runs and a triple play highlighted the Central Washington University softball team's (7-7, 3-1 GNAC) day as they took the series from Montana State Billings University (4-12, 1-3 GNAC), 3-1, with a split on the day.
 
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"Pitching was tough this weekend," CWU Head Coach Alison Mitchell said afterward. "Our bats were solid and it was a breakout for a few players. It was nice to see Sasha [Mitchell] have a day, too. Rhaney [Harris] was solid in the circle both times and Izzy gutted out an injury for a while. We have some things to work on, but it's not a bad way to start conference play."
 
GAME ONE | CWU 12, MSUB 13 (8 INNINGS)
The Wildcats put up crooked numbers in the first, fourth, and fifth innings, but ultimately fell in extras to the 'Jackets.
 
Sydney started the scoring in the first with a two-run double. Gracee Dwyer roped a two-run single later in the inning, scoring Brown and Alyssa Benthagen. The Yellowjackets responded in kind, scoring four run on a home run and single of their own.
 
A single from Maddy Zerr in the second inning put Central Washington ahead for the second time, 5-4. Once again, the 'Jackets responded. A two-run single pushed Billings ahead 6-5, but their lead would not last long.
 
Theresa Moyle blasted a three-run home run in the fourth to put Central up 8-6. Dwyer followed suit with a two-run shot later in the inning. Billings got a run back in the bottom half of inning with a single to center.
 
Zerr notched her second RBI knock of the contest in the fifth, bring Allie Thiessen around from third. Benthagen later brought around Harlee Carpenter, pushing the 'Cats lead to 12-7. A quartet of home runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the Yellowjackets brought the game back even at 12-12.
 
After a scoreless seventh inning, the 'Jackets walked-off on a solo home run in the eighth inning for a 13-12 lead.
 
Thiessen recorded three hits and scored twice, while Carpenter scored three runs. Zerr also finished with three runs scored and added three hits as well as two runs batted in to her totals. Dwyer drove in four and hit her second long ball of the season. Samantha Stanfield (1-2) was charged with the loss.
 
GAME TWO | CWU 12, MSUB 4 (6 INNINGS)
A six-run third inning propelled the Wildcats to victory in game two, while Rhaney Harris (3-1) notched her third win of the season in the circle.
 
Moyle opened the scoring in the first inning with a single through the right side.  Billings answered immediately in their half of the inning, driving in a run with a single to left. The 'Jackets added a go-head run in the bottom of the second for a 2-1 lead.
 
Undeterred, Moyle came up again in the top of the third inning with two runners on. She laced a 3-2 offering over the center field wall, putting CWU ahead 4-2. The 'Cats were not done with the second. Sasha Mitchell was next at the launch pad, blasting another three-run shot for a 7-2 lead.
 
Brown notched her first big fly of the season in the fourth, a solo home run to give the Wildcats an 8-2 advantage.
 
A two-run homerun for the Yellowjackets in the fourth was the final offense of the day for Montana State Billings.
 
Brown was at it again in the sixth, clearing the bases with a three-run triple for an 11-4 lead. Dwyer brought around the Wildcats' final run two batters later, lacing a single through the left side to score Brown.
 
Harris notched a complete game, allowing just four earned runs. She struck out a pair.
 
UP NEXT
Central Washington hosts Saint Martin's University for a four-game series starting on April 2, 2021 at Gary and Bobbi Frederick Field in Ellensburg.