PORTLAND, Ore.—Alternating wins for the second time this weekend, the Western Oregon University softball team managed a Sunday split with an 8-4, 3-6 split at Concordia University.
With the results, Western Oregon closes out the weekend with a 21-19 overall record and a 9-9 mark in GNAC games. Concordia moved to 18-20 overall and 5-11 in conference play.
Western Oregon will return home next week for a four-game series against Montana State Billings on April 21-22. Opening pitch between the Wolves and the Yellowjackets is set for 12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Game 1: Western Oregon def. Concordia, 8-4
Jumping out to a 5-0 lead through two innings, Western Oregon defeated Concordia 8-4 in Sunday's opener at Porter Park.
The Wolves needed just three at bats to score their first run as Kiley Lynn doubled to center field to score Tyler Creach. Creach opened the game with a single and moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Moments later, Lynn scored on another passed ball for a 2-0 lead before the second out was recorded.
CU pitcher McKenzie Smith avoided additional damage in the opener but the Wolves returned with three more runs in the 2nd to force the Cavaliers to turn to their bullpen early. With two outs to play with, the Wolves loaded the bases for Ryanne Huffman, who notched an RBI by drawing a walk. Lynn followed with an RBI walk of her own before Cheyanne Rimer placed a ball into center field for a 2-run single and a 5-0 advantage.
WOU tacked on a single run in the 4th and two more in the 6th for an 8-1 spread before the Cavs finally mounted an offensive threat against WOU starter Haley Fabian in the 7th. The Cavs compiled three runs on four huts in the finale, but Fabian stayed the course and ended the game by forcing a grounder back to the pitcher's circle.
In her 12th complete game of the season, Fabian allowed 10 hits in the contest and struck out eight batters to improve to 8-7 on the season. Creach led the Wolves at the plate with a 3-for-3 game that included four runs scored. Rimer went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Game 2: Concordia def. Western Oregon, 6-3
Scoring three runs in the bottom of the 1st, Concordia never trailed in a 6-3 win in the series finale over Western Oregon.
Three Cavaliers notched RBI in the opening stanza without the benefit of a hit. Alexandria Steen and Courtney Somers drew bases-loaded walks before Jennifer Rivera lifted a sacrifice fly to left for the final run.
The Cavs added two runs in the 3rd and one more in the 5th for a 6-0 advantage,
Western Oregon split the spread with a 3-run 7th as Ayanna Arceneaux and Tyler Creach launched back-to-back RBI doubles.
CU outhit the Wolves 9-to-8 while both teams were charged with one error. Creach went 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored while Jenna Kelly went 2-for-2 at the plate.
