Softball | 4/18/2010 4:40:43 PM

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

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon University softball team ran its season-best winning streak to seven games and took over first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in the process. The Wolves came from behind in both games of a doubleheader against Saint Martin's on 'Pink Out' day, Sunday, Apr. 18. WOU won game one 3-2 and game two 3-1.

The Wolves' (26-14, 20-7 GNAC) doubleheader sweep, coupled with Central Washington splitting its twinbill with Western Washington, allowed WOU to break a tie atop the GNAC standings and take over sole possession of first place by one game. These games were the seventh straight conference losses for Saint Martin's (16-30, 10-22 GNAC).

Game 1
Amanda Fleer went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs driven in to lead the Wolves to a 3-2 win in game one.

She got the Wolves in the board in the first inning as she singled with two out to score Tyler Sutherland. Fleer then added a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to knot the game at 2-2.

WOU scored the go-ahead run in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Sutherland to plate Emily Kenagy, who had led off the inning with a triple to right field.

Kelsey White (6-1) picked up the win in relief of Jessica Wood. She pitched the final 4.2 innings allowing four hits and no runs while striking out six.

The Saints outhit the Wolves 9-6, and Joslyn Eugenio had three of those hits including a pair of doubles. Eugenio also took the loss after giving up six hits and three runs while striking out two.

Game 2
The Wolves got a strong starting performance from Brittany Reeves and executed with runners in scoring position to take game two 3-1.

The game was tied up at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth, when the first two batters of the inning walked for WOU. Miranda Little then sacrificed them to second and third to bring pinch hitter Sasha Koki to the plate. Koki dropped down a suicide squeeze on the first base line. The Saints' first baseman fielded it and threw home but Bailey Rueck was able to get around the tag to score the run. Meanwhile, Stephanie Albrecht went to third base. However, after reaching first Koki continued onto second and the Saints' catcher threw down to the shortstop covering the bag which allowed Albrecht to coast in from third and put the Wolves up 3-1.

"Miranda did a great job setting up the play," explained Western Oregon head coach Pam Knox. "Sasha is one of our best bunters and it was perfect. She then was able to draw the throw to allow the runner to score."

Brittany Reeves went the first five innings allowing seven hits and no runs while striking out two. Jessie Lessard (6-6) then took over, and although she surrendered the game tying run, she was able to pick up her third win in her last three decisions. Kelsey White then got the last two outs of the game for her third save.

Saint Martin's collected 10 singles to outhit WOU 10-5, but stranded 11 runners on base. Kirstin Davidson and Joslyn Eugenio each had two hits. Amanda Arnzen (7-13) took the loss out of the bullpen. She gave up just one hit in 3.1 innings pitched but surrendered four walks and two earned runs.

Next games
The Wolves will now host Western Washington is a five-game set Apr. 24-25. The teams will play a tripleheader Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. Sunday's doubleheader will also start at 11:00 a.m., and will be Senior Day for five Western Oregon student-athletes.