| GNAC Championship History |
| Year |
Champion |
Runner-Up |
| 2017 |
Western Oregon |
Northwest Nazarene |
| 2016 |
Northwest Nazarene |
Western Oregon |
| 2015 |
Western Oregon |
Northwest Nazarene |
| 2014 |
Central Washington |
Western Oregon |
| 2013 |
Western Oregon |
Central Washington |
ELLENSBURG, Wash.—A day after tossing six innings as a starting pitcher, Western Oregon University sophomore Connor McCord went 4-for-5 at the plate with five RBI to propel the Wolves to a 14-8 win over top-seeded Montana State Billings on Thursday.
With the win, No. 2-seeded Western Oregon (26-20) advances to the GNAC Championship game for the sixth consecutive year. The Wolves will play the winner of tonight's elimination contest between MSUB (31-17) and No. 3-seeded Central Washington (27-25). Opening pitch for Friday's finale is set for 12 p.m.
Western Oregon survived a five-home run day by MSUB by scoring in six different innings. The Wolves opened the game with a pair of scores in the bottom of the 1st only to see the Yellowjackets score two of their own in the 2nd and 3rd frames for a 4-2 lead.
WOU knotted the game in the home half of the 3rd and regained the advantage with a four-spot in the 4th inning. McCord provided the key shot for the Wolves with a 3-run blast to right field.
WOU continued to pad its advantage with multiple scores in the 5th and 6th innings to chase MSUB starter Steen Fredrickson (7-1). Fredrickson, the GNAC Co-Pitcher of the Year, was tagged for his first loss of the season with the result.
WOU starter Craig Grubbe (4-4) lasted six innings in the slugfest. Grubbe allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits while striking out six batters. Jake Simmons, Nick Parr and
Koty Fallon combined to allow one run on one hit over the final three innings to close out the win.
In addition to his five RBI, McCord ended the game with four hits and three runs scored. McCord had RBI singles in the 1st and 3rd innings to go along with his 3-run homer.
Nyles Nygaard added three hits in five at bats while Hunter Johnson went 3-for-3 with two RBI.
Justin Wakem and Cody Dykstra also recorded multiple RBI lines for the Wolves as WOU outhit the Yellowjackets 19 to 10.
