NAMPA, Idaho – The Central Washington University baseball team fell in day one of the final series of the regular season at 24th-ranked Northwest Nazarene Thursday afternoon. With a loss by Montana State Billings in their doubleheader today against Western Oregon, the 'Cats have officially clinched a spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament held in Billings, Mont. May 9-10. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 
GAME 1
 

• Final: Central Washington (1), #24 Northwest Nazarene (13)
• Records: CWU (20-25, 14-15 GNAC), NNU (31-11-1, 21-8 GNAC)

 
GAME 2
 

• Final: Central Washington (1), #24 Northwest Nazarene (4)
• Records: CWU (20-26, 14-16 GNAC), NNU (32-11-1, 22-8 GNAC)
• Location: Elmore W. Vail Field, Nampa, Idaho

 
GAME 1
 
SCORING:
 

• The Nighthawks took the 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with three different players recording an RBI. 
• NNU tacked on four more in the bottom of the fourth inning with both Cole Calnon and Adam Paganelli each recording two RBI to make it 7-0 NNU. 
• The Nighthawks added on one more in the bottom of the sixth inning when Trevor Tishenkel reached on a fielder's choice to score Calnon and make it 8-0 NNU. 
• The 'Cats managed to get on the board in the top of the seventh inning when Andrew Sharp singled to left field to score Austin Ohland and cut the NNU lead to 8-1. 
• The Nighthawks would cap off the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, tacking on five runs to make it 13-1 NNU. 

 
PITCHING:
 

• Alex Brady started the game for CWU pitching the first six innings allowing 13 hits, eight runs, and three walks while striking out four against 33 batters. 
• Nick Lindholm came in and pitched 0.1 innings allowing one hit, four runs, and two walks while striking out one against five batters. 
• Gabe Bustamante came in facing three baters allowing three hits and one run. 
• Drew Richardson pitched the final 1.2 innings allowing one hit against six batters. 
• Kyle Ethridge earned the win for NNU pitching the first seven innings allowing three hits, one run, and no walks while striking out four against 24 batters. 

 
HITTING:
 

• The 'Cats finished with three hits with Brady Hinkle, Ohland, and Sharp all recording one apiece. 
• Sharp finished with the sole Wildcat RBI. 
• The Nighthawks finished with 18 hits, led by Bryan Rojas and Calnon each with four. 

 
GAME 2:
 
SCORING:
 

• Paganelli put NNU on the board first when he reached on an error by the third baseman allowing enough time for Rojas to score and make it 1-0 Nighthawks in the bottom of the first inning. 
• Still in the bottom of the first, Duke Pahukoa homered to left field to score Paganelli and Tishenkel in the process and make it 4-0 NNU. 
• Sharp once again got it done for the 'Cats as he doubled down the right field line to score Baba Varner Jr.  and make it 4-1 NNU. 

 
PITCHING:
 

• Jonathan Garza II pitched four innings for CWU allowing six hits, four runs, and one walk while striking out five of the 20 batters faced. 
• Aaron Robertson pitched the final two innings earning two strikeouts against six batters. 
• Kailer Saunders earned the victory for NNU pitching the first 4.1 innings allowing six hits and one run while striking out one against 18 batters. 

 
HITTING:
 

• CWU finished with six hits, earning one apiece from Varner Jr., Ohland, Sharp, Kellen Berg, Trenton Love, and Jake Felton. 
• Sharp once again recorded the sole RBI for CWU. 
• The Nighthawks finished with six hits led by Tishenkel and Carter Walsh each with two. 

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• NNU holds the 91-84 series lead all-time. 
• The 'Cats are 31-54 in Nampa. 
• The Nighthawks have the 86-80 conference record over CWU. 

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The two squads will be back at it on Friday for another doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. PST with game two to be held at around 2:00 p.m. PST in Nampa, Idaho.