ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Western Oregon softball team split a doubleheader at Central Washington on Friday to open GNAC play, winning the opener 10-4 before dropping game two, 8-6.
Game 1 — Western Oregon 10, Central Washington 4
The Wolves (15-12, 1-1 GNAC) used a seven-run seventh inning to break open a tight game and claim the opener.
Trailing 4-2 entering the sixth, Western Oregon got within one on an RBI single from Reghann Fairbairn. The Wolves then exploded in the seventh, taking advantage of walks, hit batters and defensive miscues while stringing together key hits.
Fairbairn led the offense, going 3 for 4 with three RBI. Jocelyn Rush delivered a two-run single in the seventh, while Sydney Conklin added two RBI and Brooklyn Schneidt doubled and scored twice. Victoria Zimmerman also finished with two hits and two runs scored.
In the circle, Kennedy Abbas earned the win, allowing one run (unearned) on five hits over 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. Abby Stansbury started and gave up three runs (none earned) over 3.2 innings.
Game 2 — Central Washington 8, Western Oregon 6
Western Oregon jumped out early but could not hold off a late Central Washington rally in game two.
The Wolves scored five runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Braeli Martin and Madelynne Hommel, along with run-scoring contributions from Victoria Zimmerman and Lauren Mauer.
Central Washington (7-17, 1-1 GNAC) responded with three runs in the second and tied the game in the third before the teams traded runs into the middle innings. WOU regained a 6-5 lead in the fifth on another RBI single from Martin.
The Wildcats answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-6 lead and held the Wolves scoreless over the final two innings.
Hommel and Sydney Conklin each recorded two hits for Western Oregon, while Fairbairn added two hits, including a double. Martin finished 2 for 4 with two RBI.
Western Oregon continues GNAC play Saturday with a doubleheader at Central Washington beginning at noon.
