ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington softball team (17-19, 5-7 GNAC) will be back in action in Ellensburg for the first time in almost a month when they play host to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (22-14, 10-2 GNAC) this Friday and Saturday. Saturday's games will be the annual Gold Star Games, honoring fallen members of the military and their families. The ceremony to honor the 
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOE DIPIETRO:
 
"This weekend having Northwest Nazarene coming to Ellensburg will highlight a special weekend. Not only will we compete against the defending champs, but also honor Gold Star families before Saturday's games. This will be a very emotional yet special day as we honor those families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice so that we get to do all the things we take for granted. This should be an awesome weekend!"
 
GAME INFORMATION:
 
Friday, April 14^th
Central Washington vs. Northwest Nazarene
1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
 
Saturday, April 15^th
Central Washington vs. Northwest Nazarene
1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
 
 
LAST TIME OUT:
 
The Wildcats head back home after going 1-3 at Western Oregon last weekend. The Wildcats comeback fell just shy in game one by a 3-4 score before the Wolves rallied in the final inning before taking the 7-8 victory in 10 innings in game two on day one. The Wildcats couldn't find their hitting stride falling 0-4 in game one of day two before bouncing back for a solid 3-2 victory in game two.
 
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS:
 
The Nighthawks welcomed the Western Washington Vikings to Idaho by taking the series 3-1. They first swept WWU with identical 3-2 victories on day one. The Vikings slashed back with a 2-5 victory in game one of day two before the Nighthawks put the series away with a 9-1 victory in six innings in game two.
 
This will be games 109 through 112 in the series between the two squads with the Wildcats holding the commanding 83-25 series lead. The two teams have already met earlier this season in Nampa when each team swept a day for the 2-2 series split.
 
The Nighthawks have a dual threat player in Tori Hensley who not only leads NNU in batting, but pitching as well. Hensley is currently batting .358 batting average and has 43 hits to her name this season. Maia McNicoll leads Northwest Nazarene with nine homeruns and 35 RBIs.
 
Hensley and Sidney Booth are the two main pitchers for the Nighthawks with Hensley holding a 2.18 ERA, a 10-5 record, eight complete games, and one save in 99.1 innings pitched. She's allowed 92 hits, 41 runs, 31 earned runs, and 25 walks while getting 67 strikeouts against 381 batters. Booth currently holds a 2.29 ERA with a 12-7 record, 12 complete games, four shutouts, and one save in 119 innings pitched. Booth has allowed 107 hits, 50 runs, 39 earned runs, and 19 walks while getting 104 strikeouts against 452 batters.

GOLD STAR FAMILY GAMES

Saturday, Central Washington softball will honor those that have died in the line of duty and their families.
 
During World War I, US Army Captain Robert L. Queisser had two sons serving on the front line. He designed and patented the Blue Star Service Flag, which quickly became the unofficial symbol of having a child in service. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson authorized a suggestion by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defenses, that mothers who had lost a child who served in the war could wear a traditional black mourning armband with a gold gilt star. The authorization led to the tradition of a gold star covering the blue star on the Service flag to show the service member had passed.
 
A ceremony will be held approximately an hour prior to first pitch on Saturday, where CWU players will meet with Gold Star Families and honor them.


PARKING ADVISORY
Fans, please be aware this is a day game, and you CANNOT park in regular lots without a permit. You can purchase a visitor daily permit ($6) and there are three FREE lots (X-12, X-22, and X-23) close to the field. Please visit cwu.edu/parking for more information.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Wildcats will head to the great north for a four-game series at Simon Fraser (8-29, 2-12 GNAC) in Burnaby, B.C. The series will take place on Saturday and Sunday April 22^nd and 23^rd with start times of game one for each day set for noon and game two to follow each day approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first games.