ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Moving locations for the weekend series between the GNAC top two teams didn't faze the Western Oregon University offense as the Wolves erupted for 22 runs to post a Saturday sweep, 13-4 and 9-1, over Central Washington on Saturday.
Originally set for a four-game slate in Oregon, the series was shifted to Washington after rainfall throughout the week and expectations for continuation over the game days.
With the sweep, Western Oregon improved to 8-9 on the season and 8-2 in GNAC contests. CWU fell to 12-8 overall and 7-3 in league games. The two teams will conclude the series with a Sunday doubleheader set for 12 p.m. start at the CWU Baseball Field.
Game 1 – Western Oregon def. Central Washington, 13-4
Down 3-1 after the first inning, Western Oregon scored in four additional stanzas, including posting a 6-run 6th, to down CWU, 13-4 in the opener on Saturday.
WOU only outhit the home team, 14-to-11, but used three long balls to pull away from the Wildcats.Jared McDonald provided the bulk of the fireworks with home runs in the 3rd and 6th innings. McDonald ended the game going 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBI.
Nyles Nygaard and Cody Dykstra added three hits each while Cody Dykstra sent the team's third ball over the fence with a 3-run homer to right in the 6th inning.
Given the sizable advantage after the initial outburst by the Wildcats, Alex Roth posted the win with a 6-inning appearance. Roth struck out six and walked nine to improve to 2-0 on the season. Kolby Bales,
Koty Fallon and Dylan Myers combined to allow just two hits over the final three innings for the Wolves.
Game 2 – Western Oregon def. Central Washington, 9-1
Plating four runs in the top of the first, Western Oregon rode a complete game by Gabe Benavides to complete the sweep with a 9-1 win in the second half of the twin bill.
Jacob Martinez initiated the early attack with a double to right and crossed the plate for the initial run via a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch. Jared McDonald and Connor McCord came through with two-out singles and trotted home on a homer by Griffey Halle.
The Wildcats got one run back in the bottom of the first where the scored held until WOU doubled its total with a 4-run 4th. Cody Dykstra struck for a 2-run homer and was followed with RBI swings by
Jay Leverett and Nyles Nygaard.
With his team-leading sixth home run of the season, McCord provided the final score with a solo shot to right in the 7th inning.
Benavides improved to 2-2 on the season with the seven-inning complete game. Benavides struck out four batters and walked three.
