ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University Softball Team is looking towards a big weekend as they welcome the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks for their home-opening series of the 2025 season this Friday and Saturday.

Friday's games will occur during Campus Parking Enforcement hours of operation. Due to that, patrons will need a guest parking pass if you don't already have a CWU pass in order to park in the paved parking lots closest to the Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field (Lots V-18 and V-22). The dirt parking lots by the softball fields are free to park (Lots X-22 and X-23) as well as free parking along East 18th avenue. 

To purchase a daily guest pass click HERE

To view a campus parking map click HERE
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Friday, March 14
12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Central Washington vs. Northwest Nazarene
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
 
Saturday, March 15
12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Central Washington vs. Northwest Nazarene
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
 
QUOTING CWU HEAD SOFTBALL COACH JOE DIPIETRO
 
"We're looking forward to finally getting to play at home. The team is excited for the opportunity that NNU presents us. We're getting better and hope this is the weekend that we turn the corner and break through."
 
LAST OUTINGS
 
The Wildcats suffered a GNAC-opening weekend sweep, falling to the Western Oregon Wolves. WOU shutout the 'Cats on day one by 5-0 and 1-0 scores. They responded with two more comeback victories on day two combating the leads the 'Cats earned for an 8-5 victory followed by a 4-2 victory.  
 
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
 
The 'Cats and 'Hawks have already met this season for two games a couple weeks ago when NNU took out the 'Cats by scores of 3-0 and 9-2 down in Nampa. The Nighthawks currently own an 11-10 record that includes a 1-3 GNAC-opening weekend at Simon Fraser last weekend. NNU fell 8-4 in the first game before bouncing back for a first day split with a 5-3 victory in game two. On day two the 'Hawks struggled getting swept in shortened games, first a 10-2 six inning loss followed by an 8-0 five inning setback to the hosting Red Leafs.
 
NNU has three players that are batting over .300 on the season, led by Ava Clark who has a .383 batting average with Charlotte Forniss and Kellccie Adams hitting .356 and .333, respectfully. Keana Bell is the leader in extra base hits having six doubles and one triple while Forniss, Clarissa Moreno, and Emma Mulligan all stake claim to two homeruns to lead the 'Hawks. Forniss leads the way with 15 RBI while Clark has drawn the most walks this season with 14. Clark is 7/9 on stolen base attempts this season.
 
Miah Lusk has led NNU in pitching this season posting a 2.60 ERA, a 4-4 record, three complete games, one shutout, and four saves in 55.1 innings pitched. She's allowed 45 hits, 25 runs with 16 being earned, and 19 walks while striking out 58 of 204 batters she's faced this season. Riley McGee is the other regular starter for NNU and currently owns a 4.76 ERA and a 3-3 record in 28.1 innings pitched. McGee has given up 44 hits, 19 runs with 15 earned, and four walks but has struck out nine of 125 batters.
 
UP NEXT
 
The crimson and black head back on the road for back-to-back weekends with their first stop being a rematch series against Montana State Billings on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 from Avitus Group Stadium in Billings, Mont. First pitch is set for noon on Friday and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.