TURLOCK, Calif. – The Western Oregon University softball team fought back after falling to top-ranked Concordia-Irvine in the first game of the day on Saturday to defeat Academy of Art during day two of the Tournament of Champions. Concordia-Irvine used a big second inning to take the opener, 7-1. WOU then rallied in the night game against Academy of Art in the final inning for the 5-4 victory. The Wolves enter the final day of the tournament 2-2 so far.

Natalie Willoughby led the offense with two hits against the Eagles and also scored the only run. Reilly Tidwell started and ended up with the loss (3-4) going one inning and allowing five earned runs. Chelsea Smith was strong in relief going the final five innings and allowed just two runs (one earned), along with six strikeouts.

WOU (19-18) threatened early in the second inning with Willoughby singling and both Maddie Doig and Nicki Derrick walked to load the bases. A groundout to short ended the threat and kept the game scoreless.

Concordia-Irvine (37-2) then exploded for five runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good.

The Wolves picked up a run in the fourth. Willoughby was hit-by-pitch and then moved to second on a double to left-center by Sophie Franklin. Kirah McGlothan drove the run home with an RBI groundout to second.

The Eagles scored the final two runs in the fifth to provide the final margin of 7-1.

Willoughby tried to spark the offense in the sixth with a leadoff double, but would be stranded at third.

Concordia-Irvine held the 8-4 edge in hits and WOU committed the only error.

Shelby Pfeiler and Shelli Faulk led the Eagles with two hits apiece, while six players drove in a run. In the circle, Erika Morris went all seven innings for the win (9-1) allowing just the one earned run with four strikeouts.

WOU then picked up the 5-4 win in the nightcap against Academy of Art using a rally in the bottom of the seventh to get the victory. 

WOU battled back twice against Academy of Art and picked the right time for the final rally in the seventh to claim the victory.

Academy of Art (6-30) broke through first with a pair of runs in the first inning. The Wolves responded in the third. Bella Valdes opened the frame with a single to shortstop and moved to second when Logan Carlos walked. After an out, Zoie Recolan brought in the first run with an RBI single. Willoughby walked to load the bases and after the second out was recorded, McGlothan walked for the bases-loaded RBI to tie the game at two.

In the seventh, the Urban Knights reclaimed the lead with a two-run homer for the 4-2 lead. WOU then walked it off in the home half. Recolan opened the frame reaching on an error by the shortstop. Willoughby added a single through the left side and then Franklin also singled to load the bases. McGlothan drew her second bases-loaded walk of the game for another RBI to trim the deficit to one. Doig followed with an RBI single through the right side to bring in the tying run. Maddie Tomasetti ended the game when she drew a bases-loaded walk for the 5-4 victory.

Academy of Art held the 8-6 edge in hits and both teams committed an error. Six Wolves had a hit in the game and McGlothan drove in two runs. McGlothan and Tomasetti each drew two walks. In the circle, Maddie Mayer improved to 6-7 on the season with the complete game victory. She allowed just the three earned runs, along with six strikeouts.

Haley Randall paced the Urban Knights with three hits, while Lauryn Henderson tallied two RBI. In the circle, Jolene Rhoades went all six innings to end up with the loss (4-14) allowing the five earned runs with nine walks and two strikeouts.

The Wolves will finish the tournament on Sunday against Sonoma State starting at 10 a.m.