Written by Iain Dexter, Sports Information Intern

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon softball team earned a split in a two-game series against Simon Fraser University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play falling 5-3 in 10 innings in the opener before winning in walk-off fashion, 6-5, in eight innings in Game #2 Friday afternoon on the WOU Softball Field.

The Wolves (10-12, 5-1 GNAC) and Clan (10-10, 1-3 GNAC) took extra innings to decide both games, with Game #1 ending after 10 innings and Game #2 after eight. Sophomore second baseman Kelsie Garner paced the team offensively, finishing a combined 5-for-10 with a double, four runs scored and a run batted in. Senior first baseman and pitcher Jourdan Williams ended her day 3-for-9 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, including a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the day with a Wolves victory

GAME #1 – SIMON FRASER 5, WESTERN OREGON 3 (10 INNINGS)

In Game #1 the two teams were entrenched in a pitcher's duel for almost nine innings, with Wolves' starting pitcher, junior Alyson Boytz, lasting eight and two-thirds innings, allowing two earned runs. Clan starting pitcher Kelsie Hawkins threw a complete game, allowing three runs with just one earned while striking out 11 batters.

After giving up a first inning run, WOU answered back with a run in each of the second and third innings. Sophomore catcher Ku'ulei Siolo drove in the first run of the game for the Wolves with a single, followed by Williams' run-scoring single in the third. The Clan took until the sixth inning before retying the game, and then eventually took the lead for good with a three-run 10th inning.

The Wolves struggled to string hits together against Hawkins, who allowed just seven Wolves' hits. Gardner scored two of the Wolves' three runs and was the only WOU player to connect with more than one hit.

Sophomore pitcher Sammi Cadwallader picked up the loss in relief of Boytz, allowing three runs, two earned, over one and a third innings pitched. It was the Wolves' first GNAC loss of the season.

GAME #2 – WESTERN OREGON 6, SIMON FRASER 5 (8 INNINGS)

Game #2 was highlighted by Williams' walk-off single in the bottom of eight inning, driving in Gardner for her fourth run of the day.

Western Oregon got off to a quick start with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore first baseman Ashley Radziuk had the big hit of the inning, driving in two runs with a single to left field.

The Clan answered back with one run in the third inning and then the runs in the fourth, powered by back-to-back home runs by Robyn Mogavero and Rachel Proctor.

The Wolves returned the favor, retaking the lead with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth. Garner drove in the first run, before Siolo grabbed the lead back for the Wolves with a run-scoring single.

The Wolves were one inning away from victory, but the Clan tied it back up and 5-5 with a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning though, Williams sent the Wolves to victory in walk-off fashion.

Williams was also the starting pitcher for the game, allowing four earned runs over two and two thirds innings pitched. Freshman Lizzet Dominguez came into relief of Williams, picking up her third win of the season in the process. Dominguez threw five and a third innings, allowing just one run while walking three and striking out two.

The Wolves were originally scheduled for a double-header against Western Washington University on Sunday, March 15, but due to inclement weather, the series has been postponed until Thursday, April 2. WOU will instead return to action Sunday, March 22 against Central Washington University. The Wolves will travel up to Ellensburg, Wash. for the 12 p.m. start time.