ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University softball team dove back into conference play with a sweep over the Yellowjackets of Montana State Billings Friday afternoon.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 
GAME 1:
 

• Final: Central Washington (9), Montana State Billings (3)
• Records: CWU (6-16, 2-3 GNAC), MSUB (7-17-1, 1-4 GNAC)

 
GAME 2:
 

• Final: Central Washington (6), Montana State Billings (5)
• Records: CWU (7-16, 3-3 GNAC), MSUB (7-18-1, 1-5 GNAC)
• Location: Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field, Ellensburg, Wash.

 
GAME 1:
 
SCORING:
 

• Kate Hopkins scored the first run of the day in the bottom of the second inning when she singled to second base to score Alyssa Benthagen and make it 1-0 CWU.
• In the next at-bat, Karsyn Decker would reach on a fielder's choice, giving enough time for Jillian Hampson to score making it 2-0 Wildcats.
• Later in the second inning, Serena Perez doubled to left field emptying the loaded bases and bringing Laney Kaysner, Makenna King, and Decker home to make it 5-0 Wildcats.
• The Yellowjackets responded in the top of the third when Teagan Seeton homered to left field scoring Kaylin Galvin and Malia Cavan to make it a 5-3 CWU lead.
• The Wildcats would add on in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kaysner singled to left center to score Benthagen and make it 6-3 Wildcats.
• Later in the fifth inning, Hopkins singled to first base scoring both Kaysner and Hampson to put the 'Cats up 8-3.
• Perez drilled the Wildcats' first home run of the season as it sailed over the left field wall and made the crimson and black lead 9-3.

 
PITCHING:
 

• Ashlee Laver pitched the full seven innings for CWU allowing three hits, three runs one of which was earned, and two walks while striking out seven against 28 batters.
• Caitlyn James pitched the full six innings for MSUB allowing 11 hits, nine runs five of which were earned, and two walks while striking out one against 32 batters.

 
HITTING:
 

• The Wildcats finished with 11 hits led by Perez, Benthagen, Hopkins, and Sasha Mitchell all with two apiece.
• Perez corralled four RBI while Hopkins added three.
• Kaysner and Decker each added one RBI.
• King and Benthagen each drew one walk.
• The Yellowjackets finished with three hits as three different players earned a hit.

 
GAME 2:
 
SCORING:
 

• The Wildcats scored before their first out thanks to four straight walks by King, Perez, and Mitchell with Benthagen's walk bringing King home for the early 1-0 lead.
• Later in the first inning, Hampson was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring Perez home and make it 2-0 CWU.
• In the bottom of the third inning, Kaysner singled to left field to score Benthagen and make it 3-0 CWU.
• In the bottom of the fourth inning, Perez sacrificed herself to the shortstop which allowed enough time for Decker to score, making it 4-0 Wildcats.
• Kilee Imada put the 'Jackets on the board in the top of the sixth inning when she singled to left field to score Marin Penney and make it 4-1 CWU.
• Lauren Blaschak made it a one-run game after homering to center field to score herself and Imada and make it 4-3 Wildcat.
• The Wildcats added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth after Perez scored on a wild pitch and Kaysner sacrificed herself to the center fielder to score Cady Wilton and make it 6-3 Wildcats.
• MSUB wouldn't go quietly as Seeton homered to left center to score herself and Galvin and make it 6-5 CWU.

 
PITCHING:
 

• Payton Kessler pitched 6.2 innings allowing nine hits, five runs, and one walk while striking out six against 29 batters.
• Zoey Theophilus secured the final out for CWU.
• Shelby Wasilewski pitched the first five innings for MSUB allowing three hits, four runs, and 10 walks while getting two strikeouts against 28 batters.
• Ella Crookston relieved Wasilewski pitching 0.1 innings and allowing two runs and three walks while striking out one against five batters.
• James pitched the final 0.2 innings facing two batters.

 
HITTING:
 

• The Wildcats finished with three hits as Benthagen, Kaysner, and Decker all secured one hit apiece.
• Kaysner finished with two RBI while Perez, Benthagen, and Hampson finished with one apiece.
• The Wildcats were walked 13 times, led by Perez, Mitchell, Benthagen, Hampson, and Brooke Jordan all with two walks.
• King, Hopkins, and Decker all were walked once.
• MSUB finished with nine hits, led by Penney and Imada with two.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The Wildcats now own the all-time series 56-32.
• CWU is 25-11 against MSUB in Ellensburg.
• In conference matchup the Wildcats are 46-28.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats and Yellowjackets will clash for two more games tomorrow with first pitch set for noon and 2:00 p.m. from Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field.