ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University softball team swept its doubleheader against the University of British Columbia with 8-0 and 5-4 wins. The Wildcats improved to 3-4 on the season, while UBC falls to 0-2.
 
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"We were a little sporadic today offensively," CWU Head Coach Joe DiPietro said. "I think they're still trying to find their comfort level. We had some timely hits and some quality at-bats. Rhaney was lights out. Once we got ahead I didn't worry too much with how she was throwing. Izzy came in down 4-1 and shut the door, she was really good."
 
GAME ONE: UBC 0 CWU 8 (5 Innings)
Rhaney Harris (1-3) tossed a two-hit shutout to earn her first win of the season.  She threw five innings and struck out four.
 
The Thunderbirds managed a lead-off single in the second inning and a two-out triple down the left field line in the top of the fourth. Both times Harris left the runner stranded. She did not allow any walks.
 
A one-out walk from Harlee Carpenter in the bottom of the first allowed Allie Thiessen to pick up an RBI with a single to right center, after Carpenter advanced on a wild pitch and then stole third. Central struck again in the bottom of the second. A lead-off walk to Myiah Seaton set the table. She advanced to second on a ground out, before stealing third. Seaton scored on a wild pitch, giving CWU a 2-0 lead.
 
After being held scoreless in the third, the Crimson and Black put up crooked numbers in the fourth and fifth innings.
 
Brooke Jordan singled up the middle with one out in the fourth. A single from Reese Schimmel put runners on the corners for Jillian Hampson, who used a productive groundout to make it 3-0. Makenna King followed with a single to score Schimmel from third.
 
In the fifth inning, back-to-back walks from Carpenter and Thiessen gave way to an RBI double from Alyssa Benthagen. Seaton drew a walk to load the bases, before everyone moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch, allowing Thiessen to score. Jordan reached on a fielder's choice as the Thunderbirds opted to make an attempt on pinch runner Riana Abeshima at the plate, but the freshman slid safely into the plate.
 
Another fielder's choice ended the opening game as Hampson brought in Seaton from third.
 
Central finished with six hits and drew five walks.
 
GAME TWO: UBC 4 CWU 5
Isabel Womack (2-0) recorded the win in game two. She came on in relief and threw 5.2 innings of shutout softball. She struck out six and allowed just one hit.
 
Makalya Miller recorded the start for the Wildcats. She went just 1.1 innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits. Only one run was earned.
 
The Thunderbirds struck in the first frame. With two runners on, Nicole Salas singled into right center to drive around Avery Hilpert. An error in the outfield allowed Salas to advance to second and scored Mia Valcke.
 
Central managed to get one run back in their half of the inning. A bases loaded walk to Seaton brought Karsyn Decker in from third.
 
Another miscue came back to bite the Wildcats in the second inning. After a pair of singles to lead off the inning, Shae Sever popped up to the left side of the infield and the infield fly rule went into effect. The ball wasn't handled cleanly by the Wildcats, however, and the two Thunderbirds advanced 60 feet. Following a walk, Hilpert singled thorugh the right side to drive in a pair and bring the score to 4-1 UBC.
 
The Crimson and Black shortened their deficit in the bottom of the third. A triple from Thiessen scored Carpenter, who reached on a walk, to make it 4-2.
 
Womack pitched her way out of trouble in the fourth, catching Salas looking with a pair aboard. She then retired the Thunderbirds in order in the fifth.
 
Benthagen led off the inning with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. An infield single from Seaton put runners on the corners before Seaton swiped second. Jordan then drew a walk to load the bases for Hampson. She pulled a pitch through the right side, driving home Benthagen. After a strikeout, Ashtyn Falor pinch hit and utilized a productive ground out to score Seaton. The go-ahead run came when Decker reached on a throwing error which pulled the first baseman off the bag, allowing Jordan to score and give CWU a 5-4 lead.
 
The Thunderbirds managed to push a runner to second in both the sixth and seventh innings, but Womack held the Wildcats' slim advantage.
 
UP NEXT
Central Washington travels to Saint Martin's University on Friday (Feb. 25) for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.