LACEY, Wash. – The Western Oregon University softball team left no doubt in the second game against Saint Martin's on Saturday rolling to the 10-0 win in six innings. The Saints won the opener by a score of 3-0 as the teams played a non-conference series on Saturday.
Backed by 10 hits and 10 runs, Reilly Tidwell cruised in the circle going all six innings for the shutout win (2-2). Zoie Recolan went 3-3 with two runs and an RBI. Kirah McGlothan and McKenzie Westphal added two hits and three RBI apiece. McGlothan and Sophie Franklin also added two runs scored, while Franklin gave WOU (13-8) with four collecting multiple hits finishing with two.
Tidwell worked around three hits, four walks and a hit batter to pitch the shutout, adding three strikeouts.
The Wolves picked up the only run they would need in the first inning. Logan Carlos singled and moved to second on a walk to Bella Valdes. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up. Following a strikeout, a fielding error by the shortstop allowed the first run of the game to score and give WOU the 1-0 lead.
Tidwell worked out of a big early jam in the home half of the first. After getting a fly out, a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases. Tidwell collected a strikeout and then a lineout to short to end the threat and leave the bases loaded.
WOU added three more in the third. Valdes walked and moved to second on a single by Recolan. After two outs were recorded, McGlothan ripped a two-run double to left-center. Then after moving to third on a single by Franklin, McGlothan came home on a wild pitch for the 4-0 lead.
Tidwell worked out of another tough jam in the home half of the third. After getting two outs over the first three batters, a walk and hit batter loaded the bases. Tidwell was able to get a fly out to right to again leave the bases loaded.
WOU tacked on in the fourth with Nicki Derrick drawing a walk and after moving to second on a groundout, Recolan singled through the right side for the RBI and 5-0 lead.
In the fifth, a pair of errors helped the Wolves add another run. Franklin singled and then the inning was extended on an error at second. After a passed ball and walk loaded the bases, Carlos reached on another error at second to bring in Franklin for the 6-0 lead.
Saint Martin's (4-6) threatened in the fifth getting the first two runners on before Tidwell tallied a pair of groundouts around a strikeout to keep the Saints off the board.
WOU closed the scoring in the sixth. Recolan singled and Natalie Willoughby walked. A groundout moved both runners up before McGlothan singled through the left side for the RBI. After Franklin was hit-by-pitch, Westphal tripled to right center to clear the bases for the 10-0 lead.
Tidwell closed the game strong getting a flyout, groundout and strikeout for the shutout victory.
WOU held the 10-3 edge in hits and Saint Martin's committed all three errors.
Three players had a hit for the Saints, while in the circle Abby Runyon started and ended up with the loss (0-3) going the first 2.2 innings and allowing four runs (three earned). Kylie Parsons went the final 3.1 innings and allowed six runs (five earned).
In the first game of the day, Maddie Mayer kept the Wolves in it, while the Saints matched the effort with Tia Ridings and Chloe Leverington keeping WOU off the board.
WOU threatened out of the gate with Carlos reaching on an error and Willoughby being hit-by-pitch. But with two outs, a strikeout ended the inning.
Mayer worked around two baserunners in the first and then a bases loaded jam in the second to keep the game scoreless.
With the game still scoreless into the sixth, the Saints put together a two-out rally to take the lead for good. A pair of singles led to a double that plated both runners for the 2-0 lead. Saint Martin's added another run on a throwing error for the 3-0 lead.
The Wolves didn't go away quietly. Kate Ronning walked and after Franklin singled, Valdes reached on an error to load the bases with just one out. Leverington recorded a pop out and a line out, both to second, to end the game with the Saints winning the opener, 3-0.
Saint Martin's held the 6-2 edge in hits as the teams combined for five errors, three committed by the Saints.
Maddie Brandner and Franklin had the two hits for the Wolves. Mayer ended up with the tough loss (4-2) going all six innings and allowing three runs (two earned) and added four strikeouts.
Ridings went the first four innings in the circle for the Saints to end up with the no decision, adding five strikeouts. Leverington collected the win (2-0) tossing three scoreless innings and adding four strikeouts. Britney Patrick had two hits and Kaleena Yra drove in a pair of runs.
WOU will open GNAC play this coming week when they will travel to Canada to face Simon Fraser on Saturday and Sunday with doubleheaders starting at noon each day.
