NAMPA, Idaho – Senior catcher Zach Aakhus tied one single-season record and broke another as the Northwest Nazarene University baseball team split a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader against Central Washington University on Friday afternoon at Vail Field in Nampa.

The Crusaders won the opener 9-6 before falling 9-4 in the nightcap.  The Crusaders move to 30-22 overall and 13-17 in GNAC play, while the Wildcats are now 30-19 overall and 20-10 in conference.

Aakhus tied the single-season home run record with a three-run home run in the third, giving him 15 on the year and pulling even with Kevin McCarthy who set the record in 2003.  With five RBI on the day, Aakhus now holds the single-season RBI record with 53, breaking the record of 51.

The Crusaders answered the Wildcats four run third inning in game one with a six run outburst in the bottom half of the inning and took control in the fourth on the Aakhus home run.  Chris Mahelona (6-4) earned the win as he scattered four hits and struck out nine over his seven innings of work.

Tyler Levin (7-5) took the loss for the Wildcats who were led by Jamie Nilsen at the plate.  Nilsen was two-for-four and scored one run.

Derek Shoemaker (6-5) tossed a complete-game eight hitter for CWU in the nightcap as the Wildcats had 13 hits, led by designated hitter Nate Rylaarsdam's four-for-five, three RBI night at the plate, that included two doubles.

Mitch Kochis, Cole Smith and Ryan Bailey each had two hits for NNU, with Smith and Bailey each adding an RBI.  Tyler Liebelt (3-2) took the loss.

Both teams will complete the 2008 season tomorrow with a doubleheader that will begin at noon, with the Crusaders honoring their seniors prior to game one.

Game One
Northwest Nazarene 9, Central Washington 6 (May 09, 2008 at Nampa,Idaho) (Game 1)
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Central Washington.. 004 000 020  -  6  5  1      (29-19, 19-10)
Northwest Nazarene.. 006 300 00X  -  9 12  2      (30-21, 13-16)
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Pitchers: Central Washington - Levin; Bertholf(8). Northwest Nazarene - Mahelona; Liebelt(8);
Slonaker(9).
Win-Mahelona(6-4)  Loss-Levin(7-5)  T-2:21  A-86
HR NNU - Aakhus (15); Kochis (2).
Mahelona faced 2 batters in the 8th.
Game: NNU51

Game Two
Central Washington 9, Northwest Nazarene 4 (May 09, 2008 at Nampa,Idaho) (Game 2)
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Central Washington.. 141 012 0 -  9 13  1      (30-19, 20-10)
Northwest Nazarene.. 030 100 0 -  4  8  5      (30-22, 13-17)
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Pitchers: Central Washington - Shoemaker. Northwest Nazarene - Liebelt; Holloway(3); Grant(6);
Hruza(7).
Win-Shoemaker(6-5)  Loss-Liebelt(3-2)  T-2:03  A-87
Holloway faced 3 batters in the 6th.
Game: NNU52