ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Western Oregon softball team split their Sunday doubleheader with the Central Washington Wildcats, winning 10-6 before an 8-4 defeat in game two of their twin bill at Frederick Field.
As they wrap up their first week of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, Western Oregon (11-10, 1-2 GNAC) scored a combined 25 runs in their first three games of GNAC action, posting two games with at least 10 runs scored.
Game one Sunday represented one of those offensive outpourings as they tacked 10 runs on Central Washington (12-8, 3-1 GNAC) to deal the Wildcats their first conference loss of the season.
Both sides got off to a fiery start at the plate, scoring a combined 10 runs in the first two innings, seven of which came from the Wolves. The first four batters of the game would reach for Western to quickly post four runs in the top of the first inning.
Ayanna Arceneaux doubled down the left field line to score
Kennedy Coy and
Kiley Lynn singled right behind her to bring in
Tyler Creach. A wild pitch and a grounder later brought in two more in the frame to quickly make it 4-0, Wolves.
"We got off to a great start today with a solid win," Creach said. "Our offense was explosive and our pitching definitely kept us in it. I'm excited to host MSU Billings at our home field next weekend, and hopefully we can continue our strong hitting into those games."
The lead in game one grew to as many as seven runs for WOU as they posted three or more runs in three separate innings.
Logan Carlos led the Wolves at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance that included two runs and an RBI. Lynn added on another two hits with a run and an RBI in the cleanup spot. In total, the Wolves tallied a dozen hits, three going for extra bases.
In the circle,
Chandler Bishop (3-2) threw 5.1 innings of relief, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out two to earn her third win of the season. It was her first decision in a pitching appearance since Feb. 16 against Dixie State.
"It was a great team win. I knew that if I gave my defense balls they could handle, they would get the outs behind me when I got put in," Bishop said. "Our team was also hitting the ball really well which gave me a lot of confidence in the circle."
Game two of the day saw the Wildcats jump out to the early advantage, scoring five runs in the first two innings on their way to an 8-4 victory.
After a throwing error allowed WOU to score an unearned run in the top of the first and briefly take a 1-0 lead, CWU responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the same inning. Harlee Carpenter drove a solo home run down the right field line in the second at-bat of the inning to tie things up. She was followed by a two-RBI double from Sydney Brown to put the Wildcats up for the first time all day.
While the Wolves were able to spread four runs on six hits throughout the game, it was no match for the 12 hits and eight runs of CWU who scored multiple runs in three separate innings.
Maddie Mayer (5-4) struck out a career-high 10 in the loss, throwing all six innings for Western and facing 33 batters. Mayer easily surpassed her previous strikeout high as she fanned seven on two occasions during the 2019 campaign.
Sydney Bowers came up with three hits throughout the day, going 2-for-3 in game two with two RBI and a walk after tripling in game one.
"Playing at Central Washington is never an easy task. I'm super proud about how we came out the first game to secure the win," Bowers said. "We had great energy throughout both games and I am eager to play them again at our home field. Once we make the changes we know we need to make, I am confident in our abilities."
Next up, Western Oregon will play their first GNAC home games of the year when they host the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets on Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, for four games. The pair of doubleheaders will get underway at 1 p.m. and 10 a.m. PDT, respectively, at WOU Softball Field in Monmouth.
