Softball | 3/20/2011 4:24:29 PM

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

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon softball team scored six runs to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh of game two, but Central Washington scored was the first to score in extra innings to earn the split in the four-game series.

The Wildcats won the opener 6-2 and scrapped by in the nightcap 11-10 in 10 innings. The Wolves are now 9-13 on the season and 6-10 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. CWU moved to 7-6 and 5-3 in conference play.

Keilani Cruz homered in the first inning of both games for Central Washington and finished the day 5-for-8 with three home runs and four runs batted in.

Game 1
Andrea Bailey and Kendra George each hit solo home runs but it was too late as Central Washington picked up the win in game one 6-2.

Central Washington scored one in the first and put up five runs in the sixth to build a 6-0 lead.

Despite picking up the loss Jessica Wood (5-8) pitched very well. After the first inning, in which she yielded the homer to Cruz, Wood retired 12 straight batters, four via the strikeout. She finished the game with 5.1 innings pitched, five hits allowed, four runs (three earned) and six strikeout while not allowing a walk.

Wood's counterpart, Lauren Hadenfeld, was even better. She registered the complete game while giving up four hits and two runs. She also struck out eight and walked two.

Tierra-Lyn Cuba drew both those walks and also added a single as she reached base in all three plate appearances.

Game 2
The Wolves scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to Central Washington pitchers walking seven straight batters. However, Central Washington was able to capitalize on its opportunity to start with a runner on second to begin the 10th inning and earn the 11-10 win.

Jessica Hallmark scored four runs as she went 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs batted. Jessica Wood, Danyelle Hutchinson and Ashley Worthey added two RBI apiece for the Wolves.

Western Oregon never led in the game. CWU put up a single run in the first and then added nine more between the third and seventh innings to take the 10-4 lead.

The Wildcats outhit the Wolves 18-10 in the game. WOU also left 16 runners on base compared to nine for CWU.

In accordance with international softball rules, a runner was placed on second base to begin the 10th inning for both teams

Next games
The softball team will be off next week and then continue its season at the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Stanislaus, Calif., Apr. 1-3.