MONMOUTH, Ore. --- The Western Oregon baseball team held late leads in both games, but fell short twice to Northwest Nazarene 4-3 in 10 innings and 4-2 Saturday at WOU Baseball Field in the Wolves' GNAC-opening series.

In the first game, the Wolves (6-6, 2-2) led 3-0 heading into the eighth inning thanks to a three-run third that including a Curran Mitzel RBI single and a two-run single by Justyn Herzog. However, Northwest Nazarene (8-12, 2-2) scored three in the eighth to tie it and scored in the top of the 10th to win.
 
Derek Maiben led the Wolves at the plate, going 3-for-4 and added a stolen base. Dylan Chalmers pitched six shutout innings to start the game, but picked up the no-decision. Judah Graham got the loss, going two innings and giving up a run on one hit.

In the second game - a seven-inning contest - the Wolves led 2-1 heading into the fifth before a three-run, two out double by NNU's Shane Jamison gave the Nighthawks the lead for good, all three runs after an error earlier in the inning.

Derek Maiben again paced WOU, going 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games dating back to last season. Randy Stultz went 1-for-2 with an RBI double.  Chris Hardin picked up the loss, going five innings and giving up four runs (one earned) on four htis with four strikeouts and a walk. Devin Bell and Sebasten Boivin combined to throw a perfect final two innings with Boivin striking out the side.

WOU is next in action Saturday at Central Washington.