MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon softball team found itself on the wrong side of a pair of one-run decisions against visiting No. 25 Western Washington in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Sunday, spoiling the sendoff of WOU's three seniors. The Wolves could not complete the comeback in Game One, losing 3-2 before the Vikings stole Game Two 8-7 in eight innings.

WOU drops to 12-30 (9-21 GNAC) with the losses while nationally-ranked WWU improves to 33-12 (21-9 GNAC).

Western bade farewell to Tierra-Lyn Cuba, Jessica Hallmark, and Jessica Wood in festivities held prior to the day's games. Today marked the final home contests for the three seniors.

Game One
A late rally by the Wolves was not enough as WWU held on to win Sunday's opener 3-2.

The visitors went up 2-0 in the third behind an error and a passed ball, then extended their lead to three runs an inning later on a two-out RBI single.

Western would cut the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run from senior Jessica Hallmark, her 12th four-bagger of the season.

WOU led off the sixth with a pair of walks to sophomore Andrea Bailey and senior Tierra-Lyn Cuba. After Bailey advanced to third on a wild pitch, Hallmark was walked, loading the bases. The Vikings momentarily stemmed the tied with two fly outs, but senior Jessica Wood managed to draw another walk, forcing in Bailey and trimming WWU's lead to 3-2. The Wolves would leave the bases loaded, however, when a pop out to second ended the inning.

Wood was able to retire WWU's line-up in order to start the seventh, but Vikings pitcher Erika Quint would do the same a half-inning later, ending any hope for a comeback.

Wood (5-17) pitched a complete game for the Wolves, allowing five hits and two walks. She was charged with just one earned run while fanning four.

Quint, the conference's leader in many statistical categories, scattered three hits and five walks over seven innings. She struck out eight and was saddled with both of WOU's runs.

Along with Hallmark, Cuba and freshman Ali Parkerson were the other Wolves who notched hits in the game.

Game Two
Western was unable to maintain its lead as the Vikings claimed an 8-7 win in Sunday's nightcap thanks to a two-out RBI single in extra innings.

The Wolves put three runs on the board in the first behind two illegal pitches and an RBI single. Bailey started things with a double to left center before advancing to third on a ground out. WWU's pitcher was called for her first illegal pitch during Wood's at-bat, allowing Bailey to score.

Wood was subsequently walked, followed by a single from junior Kendra George. Freshman Ashley Gardner delivered a single to right field, plating Wood and advancing George to third. A second illegal pitch was called during freshman Tia Misfeldt's at-bat, scoring George. Misfeldt would draw a walk but a fly out in Western's next at-bat ended the inning, stranding two.

WWU scored twice in the second on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to right field. A third run would come an inning later behind a second run-scoring single, knotting the game at 3-3.

WOU would go back on top in their half of the third thanks to a trio of runs. Hallmark reached first base on a lead-off single. After a strikeout, George singled through the left side before advancing to second on the throw. Hallmark moved to third on an illegal pitch during Gardner's at-bat. Gardner subsequently delivered a single up the middle, plating Hallmark. George would score on the same play behind an error, putting the Wolves up 5-3.

Misfeldt continued the onslaught with a one-bagger to right center, advancing Gardner to third. Junior Danyelle Hutchinson would single to second base, driving in Gardner and extending the hosts' lead to 6-3. Hutchinson managed to steal second, but two consecutive outs left her and Misfeldt in scoring position to end the inning.

Western extended its lead to 7-3 in the fourth when Hallmark scored on a wild pitch. She reached first base on a walk before using a sacrifice bunt from Wood to get to second. Cuba, who led off the inning with a single, was caught in a pickle during George's at-bat, giving Hallmark a chance to make it to third, where she would score on the wild pitch.

The Vikings responded in a big way with a four-run sixth inning. WWU's four runs came thanks to a two-RBI single and a pair of one-run hits, tying the game at 7-7. Neither team could generate another run in the final frame, extending the contest into extra innings.

WWU led off the eighth with two fly outs to right field, but two singles put runners on first and second. A third single would score what would be the game-winning run, giving the visitors their first and only lead of the game.

The Wolves saw their first batter strike out to begin their half of the eighth inning. Hallmark would reach first on a walk in WOU's next at-bat, where junior Kelsie Didion replaced her as a pinch runner. After a line out to left, Didion moved to second on a passed ball, giving Western a runner in scoring position. The game would end, however, on a strike out, stranding the tying run.

Wood (5-18) pitched six innings of relief for WOU, ceding 11 hits, five earned runs, and two walks. She struck out one. Junior Kelsey White started the game for the Wolves.

Quint (26-5) was given credit for the win in four innings of relief. She gave up one hit and two walks while fanning six of the 15 batters she faced.

Gardner went 2-for-4 at the plate, with two RBIs and a run. George was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored.

Next Time Out
Western will conclude its season with a pair of GNAC road doubleheaders, facing off against Central Washington (25-13, 19-7 GNAC) Thursday (May 5) before tripping to Saint Martin's (7-26, 6-22 GNAC) Saturday (May 7).