Softball | 4/19/2009 3:35:05 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 [Game 1: Box score]  [Game 2: Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon softball team split a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader with Saint Martin's Sunday (Apr. 19) as it bounced back to win game two 4-3 after dropping game one 6-3.

The split kept the Wolves' season record even at 20-20 as it moved to 17-12 in the GNAC. It also pushed the Saints' record to 7-34 on the season and 5-23 in conference.

Game 1
Saint Martin's starting pitcher Amanda Arnzen held the Wolves to just six hits and three runs (one earned) over seven innings to help SMU avoid the series sweep with a 6-3 win.

Jessica Wood matched her pitch for pitch for the first five innings of the game but the Saints' bat broke out for four runs in the top of the sixth inning to chase Wood from the game.

With one out in the sixth inning, the Saints rallied for four runs highlighted by a two-run double by Kirstin Davidson.

The Wolves were outhit seven to six in the game and only Tyler Sutherland (2-for-4) recorded a multi-hit performance.

Wood recorded 10 strikeouts over 5.1 innings but surrendered four hits, five walks and four runs to drop to 9-8 on the season.

Game 2
Tyler Sutherland scored twice and had two RBI as Western Oregon took game two 4-3 to win the series 3-1.

Sutherland opened the bottom of the first with a single and then stole second base to get into scoring position with Tierra-Lyn Cuba at the plate. Cuba bounced out to the third baseman and Sutherland alertly headed to third. SMU's first baseman recognized this but her throw back to third sailed high allowing Sutherland to trot in from third. She would extend the Wolves lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth as she took Jamie Herick's pitch the opposite way for a two-run home run.

That would be all Stephanie Albrecht would need as she pitched a complete game scattering eight hits and giving up three runs while walking none and striking out a career-high five.

WOU was outhit for the second straight game (five to eight) but took advantage of its opportunities as it left only two runners on base compared to five for SMU.

Next game
The Western Oregon softball team will now prepare for a six-game series with Central Washington Apr. 24-26.