ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The third-seeded Central Washington University baseball team prepares for the 2025 GNAC Championships on Thursday, May 8, as the Wildcats host the first-seeded Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks and second-seeded Montana State Billings Yellowjackets in a double-elimination style tournament to determine the conference champion.
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, May 8
10:00 a.m.
Central Washington vs Montana State Billings
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
1:00 p.m.
Central Washington vs Northwest Nazarene
CWU Baseball Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
WATCH LIVE STATS
THE WILDCATS
Central clinched the final spot of the GNAC Championships last Thursday after splitting the first doubleheader against Montana State Billings, in addition to Western Oregon splitting their day with Saint Martin's. The Wildcats then split the second day with the Yellowjackets to finish the series 2-2. The Crimson and Black's victories were strong performances that saw the 'Cats claim the lead in 14 innings in game one to take it 6-4, and then a come-from-behind 7-6 victory behind a four-run eighth inning in game three.
The Wildcats were led by Marcus Manzardo, who recorded eight hits and one RBI, and Max Bledy, who recorded five hits and three RBIs. Strong performances came from Brandham Ponce with three hits, three RBIs, and three runs, as well as Andrew Sharp, who went 5-12 for a .416 hitting percentage.
The Wildcats had a powerful performance from Garet Hagy on the mound in game one. After entering the game in the ninth inning with the score tied, Hagy pitched the next 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and no runs, while striking out two batters enroute to a 6-4 victory over MSUB.
SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
Montana State Billings enters the postseason after two tough series against the Wildcats and Western Oregon, as the 'Jackets went 3-5 after losing to WOU 1-3 and then splitting the series against Central.
The Yellowjackets were led by Jack Nehler, who recorded four hits and three RBIs in 17 at-bats, and Zack Blaszak, who recorded nine hits and three RBIs in 17 at-bats. Strong performances at the plate by MSUB also included Nate McDonald and Kaden Kirshenbaum.
The Yellowjackets' pitching staff had strong showings from Brennen Chappell and Kevin McClellan. Chappell, who pitched a complete seven-innings in game two, only allowed one run on six hits, and struck out eight Wildcat batters. In his four innings pitched, McClellan allowed three hits, one run, one walk, and struck out two batters.
The 'Cats face the 'Jackets in the first game of the tournament on Thursday, May 8. First pitch from the CWU Baseball Field is set for 10 a.m.
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
Northwest Nazarene enters the tournament riding high off an eight-game winning streak to close the regular season after sweeping Central on April 18-19 and then sweeping Saint Martin's on April 25-26. The Nighthawks outscored their opponents 86-28 during the eight-game winning streak.
The Nighthawks are led offensively by Kaleb Karpstein, who is batting .406 with an OPS of 1.092. Karpstein has recorded 54 hits and 36 RBIs in 133 at-bats. The Nighthawks have five more batters who are hitting above .300 including Bryan Rojas (.371), Nin Burns II (.356), Gavin Brubaker (.335), Adrian Arechiga (.316), and Cole Calnon (.304). Calnon is also NNU's strongest pitcher with a 1.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. In his 76 innings pitched, he has allowed 70 hits, 20 runs, and 12 walks, while striking out 57 batters.
The Wildcats and Nighthawks face off later Thursday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. following CWU's matchup against MSUB.
