PORTLAND, Ore.—Using a pair of multi-run homers, Concordia University won its first-ever game at the GNAC Championships with a 5-0 victory over Western Oregon on Thursday.
Looking for their first win in the tournament since joining the conference in 2016, Concordia got off to a quick start with a 2-run homer by Hannah Self in the top of the 1st.
Playing as the visiting team in her home park, senior pitcher Mckenzie Smith started the initial attack with a one-out single. Two batters later, after a sacrifice bunt, Self popped her team-leading 13th home run of the season to give the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead.
Armed with the lead, Smith held the GNAC's top offense in check throughout the game by allowing just three base runners.
Sydney Bowers drew a walk in the 2nd,
Cheyanne Rimer a one-out single in the 4th, and
Tyler Creach a two-out walk in the 6th, but the Wolves did not advance any of their three chances past first base as Smith went on to her fifth shutout of the season.
Breaking up a string of 11 retired batters in a row by WOU starter
Haley Fabian, Chelsea Sligh and Tori O'Neill connected on back-to-back singles to open up the 6th for Concordia. After one of Fabian's season-high seven strikeouts on the day, Smith delivered a shot to left field for a 3-run blast and the 5-0 advantage.
Smith wrapped up the 7th with a 1-2-3 frame to complete the game. Owner's of the league's top batting average at .339, WOU was held to just the one hit from Rimer and failed to score in a game for just the fifth time this season.
With the win, No. 3-seeded Concordia (29-21) will face the winner of the Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene matchup that will take place later in the day.
Western Oregon (31-15), the No. 2 seed, moves to the elimination side of the bracket and will take the field at 12:30 p.m. on Friday against the losing side between the Wildcats and the Nighthawks.
