Softball | 3/23/2014 4:30:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University softball team split a doubleheader with Central Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play Sunday, 3-2 and 4-0.

The Wolves (18-11, 9-1 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) had their 10-game win streak snapped, falling one victory short of matching the program record for consecutive wins. But, they rebounded and picked up their 12th victory in their last 14 games. More importantly, WOU remained atop the conference standings in sole possession of first place.

Against the Wildcats, which were receiving votes in the national rankings, Raina Reece hit her fifth home run of the season and drove in five of the Wolves' six runs. Kelsie Gardner went 5-for-7 at the plate. Amanda Evola was 4-of-5 and was walked twice. Kelli Demianew picked up her second shutout of the season in the Game 2 win.

In the first game, the Wildcats' Andrea Hamada cleared the bases with a three-run home run in the top of the second. Reece answered with a two-run double to left field in the bottom of the third.

Maria Gau (8-3) pitched a stellar seven innings for Central Washington. The senior fanned eight Wolves and had four walks. She allowed two earned runs on eight hits. Eryka Brill (5-2) gave up three earned runs on seven hits in her seven innings on the mound. She struck out five batters and had three walks.

Western Oregon stranded nine runners on base, while the CWU left four. Neither team committed an error. WOU had eight hits to Central Washington's seven.

The Wolves jumped ahead of CWU (15-8, 8-4 GNAC) in Game 2. Reece hit a three-run shot over the left center field fence in the bottom of the third. Ashlie Gardner added a solo home run in the sixth to complete the scoring.

Demianew (6-5) struck out two batters and threw no walks over her seven innings. She gave up nine hits. The junior has not allowed an earned run in her last 26 innings on the mound.

Western Oregon travels to Northwest Nazarene (7-16, 2-5) for a pair of doubleheaders Friday and Saturday. Both days will have live stats on WOUWolves.com.

Central Washington 3, Western Oregon 2 (Mar 23, 2014 at Monmouth, OR) (Game 1)
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Central Washington.. 030 000 0 -  3  7  0      (15-7, 8-3 GNAC)
Western Oregon...... 002 000 0 -  2  8  0      (17-11, 8-1 GNAC)
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Pitchers: Central Washington - Gau and . Western Oregon - Brill, Eryka and .
Win-Gau(8-3)  Loss-Brill, Eryka(5-2)  T-1:45  A-303
HR CWU - Hamada (2).
Western Oregon 4, Central Washington 0 (Mar 23, 2014 at Monmouth, OR) (Game 2)
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Central Washington.. 000 000 0 -  0  9  0      (15-8, 8-4 GNAC)
Western Oregon...... 003 001 X -  4  9  0      (18-11, 9-1 GNAC)
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Pitchers: Central Washington - Smith and . Western Oregon - Demianew, Kelli and .
Win-Demianew, Kelli(6-5)  Loss-Smith(0-1)  T-1:30  A-303
HR WOU - Reece, Raina (5); Gardner, Ashlie (4).