Softball | 2/8/2014 10:32:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Western Oregon University softball team grabbed its first victory of the season during a split on the second day of the Desert Stinger tournament Saturday.

The Wolves (1-7) eased past New Mexico Highlands, 15-3, in five innings, then fell to Cal State-San Bernardino in the nightcap, 6-5. Ashlie Gardner finished 3-for-7 at the plate with five RBI. Amanda Evola had all six of her RBI in the victory over NMHU. Jourdan Williams picked up the win on the mound.

In its first game of the day, WOU finished with 15 runs off of its 12 hits. The Wolves scored the game's first nine runs and coasted from there. Gardner hit a three-run home run in the top of the second inning, extending Western Oregon's lead to 4-0. Evola followed that with a two-run home run of her own in the same inning. By the end of the third inning, WOU had a 9-0 advantage.

An Annie Reynolds' double down the left field line got the Cowgirls on the scoreboard. The Wolves responded with four runs in the fourth inning, and a Melanie Pfeiffer double scored Gardner and Ashley Radziuk in the fifth inning. NMHU hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to complete the scoring.

Pfeiffer went 3-for-5 and Kelsie Gardner was 2-for-4. Both had two RBI. Williams (1-1) allowed one earned run and one hit in four innings. She struck out three Cowgirls and walked four others.

After an offensive outburst, the Wolves were held to one hit in their second game Saturday. Cal State-San Bernardino (4-1) used a pair of runs through the first three innings to take the early lead. Western Oregon took advantage of a couple of Coyote errors in the bottom of the fifth to score five runs. CSUSB answered with a three-run home run in the top of the sixth, followed by a solo shot to seal the win.

Western Oregon committed five errors the loss, while Cal State-San Bernardino had four. Kelli Demianew (0-2) was credited with the setback.

The Wolves fifth and final game at the Desert Stinger is against Black Hills State (S.D.) Sunday. The Yellow Jackets (0-4) are looking for their first victory of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.