ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Western Oregon softball endured a scoring battle in their doubleheader at Central Washington yet the Wolves came a few runs short on Sunday.
 
The Wildcats defeated the Wolves, 7-5 in the first game, and 7-6 in the second. The Wolves are 7-10 overall and 0-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while the Wildcats are 14-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference.
 
Because of unfortunate weather and field conditions, the Wolves postponed their home openers against Saint Martin's on March 5, and instead of hosting Central Washington, they made the trip to Ellensburg.
 
GAME #1 – WESTERN OREGON 5, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 7
Scoring banters, ties, and lead changes characterized the first contest of the doubleheader.
 
The action truly began in the second inning as each team had three hits. Senior Brandy Knowles got the Wolves on the board first after she singled and junior Ashlee Lynch's single brought her home. Central Washington, however, responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
 
In the third inning, a home run to right field from junior Kelsie Gardner tied up the game, but the Wildcats added a home run of their own.
 
Western Oregon tied the game again in the fourth as junior Lexi Jennings drew a walk and ran home with the help of a fly out. The Wolves proceeded to take the 4-3 lead when Gardner bunted the ball, allowing Lynch to advance to third base and eventually to home on the throw.
 
Central Washington shut the Wolves down in the bottom of the fourth with four runs, which included a single that brought two runners home as well as a two-run home run.
 
As the fifth inning approached, the scoring banter quieted down, but the Wolves attempted to use their last chance at bat wisely during the top of the seventh. Freshman Ryanne Huffman gave Western Oregon hope as she singled and advanced to third base off of sophomore Zoe Clark's double. Huffman scored off of a ground out, cutting into the Wildcats' advantage, but the score remained at 7-5 for the Central Washington victory.
 
The Wildcats slightly outhit the Wolves, 10-9, as Gardner led Western Oregon with three hits, while Knowles had two. Senior Alyson Boytz pitched all six innings and struck out two batters.
 
GAME #2 –WESTERN OREGON 6, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 7
The Wolves looked for redemption in the second game, but the back-and-forth scoring carried over from the first half.
 
Huffman scored the first run in the first inning as Knowles singled up the middle to bring her home, while Central Washington instantly tied the game in the bottom of the inning.
 
The second inning bared two runs for the Wolves and five for the Wildcats. Junior Destiny Kuehl drove a home run which also allowed junior Hailee Watilo to score. However, retaliation showed through the Wildcats' play as they went on a scoring spree in the bottom of the inning with the help of a couple miscues from the Wolves as well as another two-run home run.
 
Western Oregon responded with two runs in the following inning to cut into Central Washington's early lead and stand behind by one at 6-5. After hitting a single and advancing the bases one at a time, Huffman eventually scored off of a wild pitch. During the next play, Knowles, who had singled to center field, scored after junior Mercedes Green's single.
 
Central Washington added one run to their advantage in the fifth inning, and the Wolves came right back with a home run from Lynch in the sixth to stay close behind. In the end, the Wildcats held Western Oregon off for the 7-6 win.
 
Knowles had two hits of the Wolves' seven hits. Senior Stephanie Morgan (1-3) took the loss after pitching two innings, allowing six of Central Washington's 11 hits and striking out one batter. Sophomore Lizzet Dominguez also stepped into the circle and struck out one.
 
The Wolves will host Montana State Billings in Monmouth on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 for a doubleheader on each day.