ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Alyssa Benthagen clubbed a three-run home run to give Central Washington University softball a game one win over Montana State Billings before an eight-run seventh inning for Billings in game two cemented the series split.
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"The first game the girls showed show grit and fought," CWU Head Coach
Joe DiPietro said. "Rhaney kept us in the game and Alyssa came up big. We had all the momentum going after the first game. As college pitchers you need to be able to throw strikes. You can't defend walks and home runs. We need to throw strikes and get ahead in the count, which isn't something we didn't do in the second game."
GAME ONE | MSUB 6, CWU 9
Benthagen's walk-off home run lifted the Wildcats (8-11, 2-2 GNAC) over the Yellowjackets (8-14, 2-2 GNAC) in the opener.
Rhaney Harris (3-6) went the distance for the 'Cats. She allowed five earned runs, eight hits, two walks, and struck out one.
Central opened the scoring in the first inning.
Brooke Jordan singled home
Allie Thiessen for the early lead. A sacrifice fly from Benthagen brought in Jordan for a 2-0 lead.
A three-run home run from Lauren Blaschak in the top of the second. The 'Cats responded immediately.
Ashlee Laver walked and came around to score on a throwing error when Karysn Decker stole second.
Harlee Carpenter then roped a 1-0 pitch for a double, scoring Decker for a 4-3 Central lead.
Maycen O'Neal tied the ballgame with a solo home run in the next half inning. After a scoreless fourth, the Wildcats' offense went back to work.
Makenna King drove in a pair with a single, staking out a 6-4 lead. In the sixth a single and a sacrifice fly for the 'Jackets tied the score at 6-6. Billings put a pair of runners on base in the top of the seventh, but Harris got a fly out to right to end the threat.
In the final frame, Thiessen led off with a walk to set the table. Jordan laid down a bunt and reached as the 'Jackets attempted to throw out
Riana Abeshima, who pinch ran for Thiessen, at second. Working the count to 2-1, Benthagen launched a three-run shot to left center for the walk-off win.
Benthagen and Carpenter both finished with a pair of hits. Benthagen drove in four runs, while King drove in a pair. Thiessen and Jordan both scored twice.
GAME TWO | MSUB 9, CWU 7
After heading into the top of the seventh inning, 7-1, the Wildcats fell 9-7 after an eight-run seventh inning for the 'Jackets.
Montana State Billings came up with just three hits in the seventh, despite scoring eight. They took the lead on a grand slam by Marin Penney. Jazlyn Kalehuawehe followed the grand slam with a solo shot for a 9-7 lead. Central pitchers issued five walks in the inning, including four consecutive free passes to open the frame.
For the second straight game the 'Cats opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. A single from Benthagen brought Thiessen to third and she scored on a miscue in right field. King then singled home Jordan two batters late.
Jillian Hampson followed with a two-run single for a 4-0 lead.
After being held scoreless in the first two innings, the 'Jackets scored one on an RBI double in the top of the third. In the bottom half,
Taylor Kai laced a pinch-hit single for an RBI and a 5-1 lead. Central extended the lead to six in the fourth when King reached on a fielding error, allowing two runs to score.
Jenna Kister (1-4) nabbed the win. She threw 4.1 innings and allowed just two unearned runs. Laver (1-4) was charged with the loss. She allowed five runs, in 0.2 innings, on three hits and two walks. She relieved
Isabel Womack, who went six innings and allowed four runs, on five hits and seven walks.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats hit the road for the first time in conference play. They head to Northwest Nazarene for a four-game series on Friday (March 18) and Saturday (March 19).
