LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Using a pair of complete game performances by starters Haley Fabian and Lizzet Dominguez, the Western Oregon University softball team posted a pair of wins on opening day while competing at the Desert Stinger on Thursday.
WOU defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 7-2, in the morning session before scoring four unanswered runs in a 4-3 comeback win over Sonoma State in the evening contest.
GAME 1 – Western Oregon 7, Eastern New Mexico 2
Powered by three home runs and a complete game by pitcher Haley Fabian, the Western Oregon University softball team opened the season with a 7-2 win over Eastern New Mexico University in the MSUB Desert Stinger on Friday.
Nikki Miller opened the account with a solo home run in the top of the second while Bishop and Cheyanne Rimer added roundtrippers of their own in the third and seventh frames.
Bishop's blast with teammate Huffman on base occurred after ENMU knotted the game in the home half of the second via a bases loaded single to right center.
Up 3-1 in the top of the third, the Wolves sent three more runners home to extend the lead. Ayanna Arceneaux initiated the inning with an RBI double to right to score Jenna Kelly and was followed by an RBI single by Tyler Creach.
Rimer provided the final score in the top of the seventh with a solo homer to left.
Fabian tossed the full seven innings to earn the win. Fabian struck out nine batters and walked three in the five-hit performance.
GAME 2 – Western Oregon 4, Sonoma State 3
Down three runs entering the fifth inning, Western Oregon University rallied with back-to-back two-run frames to defeat Sonoma State University in the team's second game of play at the MSUB Desert Stinger.
Sonoma State plated a single run in the second and added two more in the fourth inning before the Wolves were able to generate a threat against SSU starter Gabby Dupree.
Zoe Clark and Ayanna Arceneaux kick started the comeback with singles surrounding a sacrifice bunt by Mariah Deleon. After driving in Clark with a single to left, Arceneaux scored on a throwing error to pull the Wolves to within a single run.
Boosted by the sudden offense, WOU starter Lizzet Dominguez sent the Seawolves down in order thanks to an at-the-fence robbery by Clark in center field, a strikeout and a grounder back to the circle.
With the quick return to the plate, Jenna Kelly doubled to left field to place the tying run in scoring position, but the extra base proved to be unnecessary as a Deleon shot over the center field fence provided WOU with a 4-3 advantage.
Armed with her first lead of the day, Dominguez retired nine of the next 10 batters she faced to clinch the win. In all, Dominguez allowed just three hits while striking out two batters.
The Wolves collected nine hits in the game with Huffman leading the way in the leadoff spot by going 3-for-4 at the plate.
The Wolves will return with two more contests on Saturday. WOU will Concordia (Calif.) at 2 p.m. and Cal State San Bernardino at 4:30 p.m.
