TUCSON, Ariz. – In its final two games of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Leadoff Classic, Western Oregon University's softball team split its contests against East Central University and Molloy College to finish seventh in the Silver Championship Bracket. The Wolves fell to East Central, 13-12 in eight innings, before defeating Molloy, 4-2, to close out competition this weekend.

Western Oregon (2-4) would get a three-hit performance from senior Amanda Evola in the opener, as well as five runs batted in by junior Brandy Knowles and three RBI from sophomore Ku'ulei Siolo. In the finale, sophomore Kelsie Gardner registered a pair of hits and two RBI to go along with a two-hit showing by senior Jourdan Williams along with two runs batted in.

Against East Central, Williams pitched the opening 6.2 innings allowing 11 earned runs on 16 hits before turning the ball over to junior Stephanie Morgan for the final 0.2 innings as she allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits en route to suffering the heart-breaking loss. In the Wolves' game against Molloy, freshman Lizzet Dominguez pitched the opening 5.0 innings allowing two earned runs on six hits en route to picking up her first collegiate victory with junior Alyson Boytz going the final 2.0 innings giving up six hits en route to earning her first save as a member of WOU's team.

GAME #1 — EAST CENTRAL 13, WESTERN OREGON 12 (8 INNINGS)

In the top of the first inning, Western Oregon scored four runs on a grand slam by Knowles that also scored Gardner, Evola, and Williams en route to the Wolves earning an early 4-0 lead.

East Central would rebound with a single run in the bottom of the first inning to get on the board and pulled within three runs (4-1).

In the top of the second inning, freshman Erika Enriques tripled home sophomore Destiny Kuehl to put Western Oregon back in front, 5-1.

East Central added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning that pulled the Tigers within a single run, 5-4.

In the top of the fifth inning, Western Oregon pushed its lead to five runs (9-4) on a bases loaded walk by Siolo before sophomore Ashlee Lynch cleared the bases with a double.

One inning later, Western Oregon added two more runs on a two-run single by Siolo that extended WOU's lead to 11-4

East Central would pull within two runs (11-6) in the bottom of the sixth inning before the Tigers tied the game at 11-11 in the bottom of the seventh inning that forced extra play.

In the top of the eighth inning, Western Oregon jumped ahead on an error by ECU that allowed Enriques to score and put the Wolves ahead 12-11.

East Central would end the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-run, walk-off triple by Taylor Davis that propelled the Tigers into the consolation finals with a 13-12 victory.

Davis led ECU with a perfect 5-for-5 performance at the plate with three RBI, while Samantha McGraw drove in five RBI for the victorious Tigers. In the circle, Lacey Paulk went the opening 4.0 innings allowing five earned runs on seven hits before turning the ball over to Sydney Dow for the final 4.0 innings as she earned the victory despite allowing seven runs (four earned) on six hits with a game-high seven strikeouts.

GAME #2 — WESTERN OREGON 4, MOLLOY 2

In the weekend finale, Western Oregon would get a game-winning, two-run triple from Gardner in the top of the sixth inning to go along with brilliant pitching performances by Dominguez and Boytz en route to earning the Wolves' second win of the season.

Western Oregon got on the board in the top of the first inning on a RBI single by Williams that scored Gardner after she drew a lead off walk.

Molloy rebounded in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs on two hits en route to grabbing a 2-1 lead after three innings of play.

Neither team would score again until the top of the fifth inning when Williams doubled home Evola after her lead off single, as Western Oregon tied the game at 2-2.

One inning later, Gardner would deliver the game-winning hit before Boytz replaced Dominguez and held Molloy within a run en route to helping WOU to the victory.

Victoria Gunnels led Molloy with three hits and a pair of RBI, while Chelsea Hawks went the distance allowing four earned runs on nine hits to go along with a game-high tying three strikeouts.

Western Oregon returns to action next weekend at the sixth annual Desert Stinger hosted by Montana State University Billings starting on Friday, February 13, against California Baptist University beginning at 2 p.m. at Majestic Park in Las Vegas, Nevada.