MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon Wolves and Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks split a doubleheader Friday afternoon to open their four-game series at WOU Softball Field.

Offense came at a premium in game one, a 3-1 victory for Northwest Nazarene (18-17, 7-7 GNAC).

Despite totaling just four hits, the Nighthawks pulled out the win on the back of a three-run home run from Abigail Otto. The homer came in the top of the sixth inning to break open what had been shutout softball on both sides through five frames.

Western Oregon (19-10, 7-5 GNAC) pushed NNU to the brink in the bottom of the seventh, getting the tying run in scoring position and the winning run aboard. Ryanne Whitaker singled to center to score Kennedy Coy in the seventh for WOU's only run of the game.

Ayanna Arceneaux finished game one 3-for-3 at the plate.

Game two turned into a much more offensively-minded matchup with the Wolves taking the win, 12-5.

NNU led briefly with a run in the top of the first when Kylie Orr singled in Anna Williams. It would prove the only lead of game two for the Nighthawks.

Western Oregon rattled off four runs in both the third and the fourth innings, coming within a run of sending the Nighthawks home early.

Sydney Bowers singled in two runs in the third and Mariah Deleon doubled in a pair of runs in the fourth to lead the way for the WOU offense. Bowers finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and three batted in. Deleon was a perfect 2-for-2 at the dish with three runs scored, two RBI and a walk.

The Wolves and the Nighthawks will play games three and four of their series as a doubleheader April 6 in Monmouth. First pitch in the opener is set for 12 p.m. Saturday at WOU Softball Field.