NAMPA, Idaho – Reilly Tidwell tossed the 15th no-hitter in Western Oregon University softball program history on Friday when she kept Northwest Nazarene without a hit through seven innings as the Wolves claimed the 3-0 victory. The Nighthawks came back to win game two, 7-1, to split the opening two games.
It's the first no-hitter since 2016 when Sammi Cadwallder, Stephanie Morgan and Haley Fabian combined for the no-no against Northwest Christian. It's just the fifth since 2001. It's the second time a WOU pitcher has thrown one against Northwest Nazarene with the other coming in 2002 by Allison Sempsis.
"Reilly pitched great all game and continued to get stronger. If we needed a groundball, she got it for us. The defense behind her made some incredible plays. We are very proud of her," head coach Lonny Sargent said.
Tidwell picked up her first win (1-2) of the season allowing the no hits in the shutout victory. She was able to work around five walks and four hit batters to preserve the shutout. Tidwell also posted four strikeouts.
"I feel super grateful for the solid defense I have behind me and their constant support that makes me feel capable of having that kind of game," Tidwell said.
With Tidwell keeping the Nighthawks (15-3) in check, WOU (5-5) only needed one run which came in the first inning. Aleya Turner singled and after being erased on a fielder's choice out, Hannah Stewart reached and moved to second on a throwing error. Zoie Recolan then doubled to left-center to bring in the first run of the game.
Tidwell worked around a big early jam in the home half of the first. After hitting the first batter, she eventually reached third with one out. After a walk put runners on the corners, a double play hit to second ended the threat.
Kirah McGlothan continued her hot stretch at the plate in the third. With two outs, Kiley Lynn reached on an error. McGlothan made it a costly error when she connected on a two-run homer to left to push the lead to 3-0.
Tidwell stranded two more runners in the third getting a foul out to retire the side. During the last at-bat in the seventh, Tidwell worked around a hit batter and a walk to get a groundout to end the game and complete her no-hitter.
For the game, WOU tallied six hits against Sidney Booth who entered the game with a perfect 7-0 record. Allyson Drury led the offense with two hits and McGlothan drove in a pair of runs.
Booth was saddled with the loss (7-1) allowing three unearned runs and posted 10 strikeouts.
In game two, NNU used a pair of big innings to claim the win. The Nighthawks scored four in the fourth and three more in the fifth to put the game out of reach. WOU scored their run in the fifth.
With two outs, Drury singled up the middle and moved to second on a wild pitch. Bailey Kahele then singled to second base to score Drury.
NNU held a 11-3 advantage in hits with Kahele leading the Wolves with two hits. Maddie Mayer started in the circle and ended up with the loss (0-2) allowing four earned runs in four innings. Nicki Derrick went the final two innings.
Nicole Zuvela led NNU with three hits, while Maia McNicoll and Abigail Gagnon tallied two hits apiece. Gagnon and Booth each drove in a pair of runs.
Tori Hensley got the win in the circle (5-1) allowing the one earned run and tallied seven strikeouts.
WOU and NNU will conclude their four-game non-conference series tomorrow (Saturday) with another doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. (Pacific).
