ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington softball team (17-21, 5-9 GNAC) opened their first homestand in almost a month being swept against the GNAC-leading Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (24-14, 12-2 GNAC), falling 2-4 in game one before a 0-8 setback in five innings in game two.
GAME 1
SCORING:
- NNU opened up the scoring in the third inning when Maia McNicoll was out at second base when stealing, which allowed Jami Obringer to score from third for the 1-0 lead.
- The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the third when Alyssa Benthagen singled to left center bringing Karsyn Decker home to tie the game at 1-1.
- The Nighthawks retook the lead when Madison Felter homered to left field bringing Sidney Booth home in the process for the 1-3 lead.
- Northwest Nazarene added to their lead when Tori Hensley also homered to left field making it a 1-4 game in favor of NNU.
- The Wildcats would answer when Harlee Carpenter tripled to right field bringing Decker home for the second time in the game making it 2-4 in favor of NNU.
PITCHING:
- Ashlee Laver started the game for the Wildcats going six innings and allowing nine hits, four runs, four earned runs, and three walks while getting five strikeouts against 31 batters.
- Payton Kessler relieved Laver for the last inning and getting a strikeout against three batters.
- Booth pitched a complete game for NNU going the full seven innings and allowing five hits, two runs, one earned run, and two walks while getting nine strikeouts against 29 batters.
HITTING:
- The Wildcats finished with five hits as Myiah Seaton, Brooke Jordan, Decker, Benthagen, and Carpenter all nailed a hit for CWU in the game.
- The Nighthawks finished with nine hits as Hensley and Felter each finished with two hits apiece to lead NNU.
GAME 2
SCORING:
- The Nighthawks struck first in the third inning when McNicoll singled to center field bringing Clarissa Moreno home for the 0-1 lead.
- The Nighthawks had a big fourth inning when Obringer, Moreno, and Hensley all were walked consecutively with the bases loaded bringing home Olivia Bailey, Charlotte Forniss, and Felter to increase the Nighthawks lead to 0-4.
- Still in the fourth inning McNicoll doubled to left field bringing Moreno and Obringer home for the 0-6 score, which was followed by a wild pitch allowing Hensley to score for a 0-7 score.
- In the top of the fifth Felter homered making it a 0-8 lead for NNU.
PITCHING:
- Isabel Womack secured the start for the Wildcats going 3.1 innings and allowing 5 hits, six runs, six earned runs, and five walks while getting three strikeouts against 19 batters.
- Kessler came in to pitch for Womack going 1.2 innings and allowing three hits, two runs, two earned runs, and two walks while getting one strikeout against 10 batters.
- Hensley pitched a complete game for NNU going five innings and allowing three hits while getting five strikeouts against 19 batters.
HITTING:
- Carpenter led the way for CWU with two hits while TK finished with one of her own.
- The Nighthawks were led by Hensley, McNicoll, and Felter each with two apiece out of eight total hits for NNU.
UP NEXT:
- The Wildcats and Nighthawks will clash once again tomorrow for the Wildcats' annual Gold Star Game where CWU will honor fallen members of the military and their families. An honorary ceremony will take place at noon with first-pitch set for 1:00 p.m.
