ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University baseball team (13-13) is set to host the 11th ranked Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks (19-5-1) in a pair of double headers this Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats are 8-4 in GNAC-tion with a sweep of Saint Martin's and series-split's with Western Oregon and Montana State University Billings. The Nighthawks are 9-3 in GNAC play with their most recent 3-1 series win against Saint Martin's. 
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, March 29th  
Game Times: (DH) G1: 12:00 pm G2: 3:00 pm
Opponent: Northwest Nazarene University 
Location: CWU Baseball Field | Ellensburg, Wa.  
 
Date: Friday, March 22nd.
Game Times: (DH) G1: 12:00 pm G2: 3:00 pm
Opponent: Northwest Nazarene University 
Location: CWU Baseball Field | Ellensburg, Wa.  
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DESI STORY
"Looking forward to getting after a tough conference opponent to end the first half of the season. Lots of opportunities this weekend for our guys to make some noise." 
 
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
NNU is currently in first place in the GNAC and is ranked 11th nationally. They are 9-3 in the GNAC and 19-5-1 overall. They are batting .284 as a team with 21 home runs, 49 doubles, and .438 SLG%. On the rubber the Nighthawks have a combined 4.44 ERA with 150 strikeouts, and a 1.21 WHIP.  
HITTERS
The Nighthawks are led by senior Trevor Tishenkel who is batting .318 on the season with 7 home runs, 9 doubles, and 22 RBI's. Duke Pahukoa is batting .308 with 3 home runs, 4 doubles, with 15 RBI's. Carter Walsh is batting .297 with 2 triples, 10 doubles, and 19 RBI's. 
PITCHING
Kyle Ethridge leads the Nighthawks with a 3-1 record with a 2.97 ERA while striking out 29 batters in 39.1 innings of work. Jonathan Zayas also holds a 3-1 record with a 4.84 ERA, striking out 28 batters in 35.1 innings pitched. Kailer Saunders is holding a 4.76 ERA striking out 19 batters in 28.1 IP. Rounding out the starters for NNU is Josh Brown who has a 4.97 ERA striking out 15 batters in 25.1 IP. 
Out of the 'Pen for the Nighthawks is Wade Duncan who has 12 appearances on the season boasting a 4-1 record, 2.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, striking out 18 batters in 20.1 IP while acquiring 5 saves. Josh Bishopp is another one to watch for with 8 appearances on the season pitching 12.1 IP striking out 10, Blake Hammond has 6 appearances while striking out 8 in 12.0 IP. 

SCOUTING THE 'CATS
With a team batting average of .307, the Wildcats look to keep their hot hitting alive with 12 home runs, 53 doubles, and a team .417 SLG%. CWU has a team ERA of 4.35 with a 1.48 WHIP, striking out 138 batters. In their previous series with MSUB, the 'Cats would lose the first game by a final score of 8-3, and won game two by a score of 9-6 in 8 Innings. Ohland would hit a go-ahead 3-run home run in the top of the 8th of game 2 to give Central the lead, Milliman would finish the game on the mound in the bottom frame, securing the win. The Wildcats would strike hot and early in game 3, winning 21-3 and would fall 3-1 in game four. Game 3 would be highlighted by 21 runs coming off of 22 hits and a strong performance on the mound by Pierce.
HITTERS
CWU is led by a strong offense, boasting a team .307 average. Led by Sr. Austin Ohland with a .402 AVG. having 39 hits in 97 AB's. Ohland has blasted 4 home runs on the season with 24 RBI's. Ben Leid is having a strong 2024 season, blasting 3 home runs with a .378 AVG. while having 21 RBI's. Kevin "Baba" Varner Jr. looks to keep up his hot hitting, holding a .364 AVG. in 99 AB's, Baba has 2 home runs on the season to go with his 8 doubles and 4 stolen bases. Marcus Manzardo is swinging a hot stick, batting .361 in 108 AB's, Manzardo has 39 hits while scoring 25 runs for the 'Cats. Sophomore Andrew Sharp is swinging a hot .353 AVG. with 2 HR, 6 Doubles, and 19 RBI's.  
PITCHING
The Wildcats arms are hot, holding opponents to a .286 batting average while boasting a team 4.35 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Charron leads the Wildcats with a 3.24 ERA as well as throwing 4 complete games. Other key starting pitchers for the 'Cats are Alex Brady and Jonathan Garza II, both having 7 starts on the season, Garza has left hitters struggling, fanning 32 batters in 32.1 IP. Brady has 31 strikeouts in 35.1 IP.  
Look for pitchers Reid Rassmussen, Beau Kearsey, Drew Richardson, and Nolan Milliman to keep it frozen solid out of the 'pen. All boasting sub 3.52 ERA's, the boys in the bullpen have a combined 31 strikeouts in 64.2 innings.