NAMPA - The Coyotes and Crusaders met on the diamond for the first time in 2008, with The College of Idaho defeating Northwest Nazarene 2-0 and 9-4 in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Tuesday at Halle Field in Nampa.

 

The C of I's (5-2) Katie Zillner (2-1) tossed a three-hitter to earn her second win of the season in the opener, striking-out 11 against just two walks.  Zillner helped herself at the plate, also going two-for-three with a double.  Kalie Kurdy was also two-for-three, including an RBI double in the fourth. 

 

The Coyotes scored both of their runs in the fourth, with Haley Butcher stealing third and scoring the game-winning run on a throwing error by NNU catcher Kate Free.  Butcher was at second after singleing to left and advancing to second on a Daniyelle Villyard sacrifice bunt.  It was the only error of the game for the Crusaders.

 

Vanessa Shaw, Free and Amanda Phillips each had one hit for NNU (0-6), as Rachel Bare (0-3) took the loss for the Crusaders.  Bare surrendered six hits and struck-out nine in the complete game effort.

 

The Crusaders took an early 1-0 lead in game two when Phillips reached on a fielding error to open the bottom of the third, advanced to second on a Brooke Hesselgesser sacrifice bunt and then scored on a Dana Shipley RBI single to right.

 

The C of I answered in the top of the fourth, scoring twice and then added three in the sixth and four in the seventh, highlighted by a Sammy Dodge three-run home run in the seventh, her first of the season.

 

NNU would rally in the seventh, scoring three runs as Shauna Juarez singled to lead off and would immediately score on Haley Hevern's triple to right center, with Hevern scoring on the play on an error by C of I's third baseman handling the cut-off throw. 

 

Phillips and Hesselgesser followed with back-to-back singles and Courtney Crane walked to load the bases with one out.  C of I pitcher Brooke Judy would get Free to fly out to centerfield for the sacrifice, scoring Phillips and then retire NNU's Shaw on a ground ball to third, ending the NNU threat.

 

Judy (2-1) earned the complete game win for the Coyotes, while Dana Shipley (0-3) took the loss for the Crusaders.

 

Six Crusaders had one hit in game two, while Nicole Antonoplos, Kurdy and Dodge each had two hits for the Coyotes.

 

The Crusaders will now travel to Richland, Wash. and play in the Central Washington Invitational this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  NNU will play seven games in three days against all six GNAC foes, as well as fellow NCAA West Region opponent, Sonoma State.