Arielle Chao's grand slam home run in the top of the seventh gave Northwest Nazarene a 9-7 win over College of Idaho and a split of a non-conference softball doubleheader Tuesday at Symms Field in Caldwell.

NNU(7-27) had loaded the bases on two walks and a single by Sarah Varady prior to Chao's game-winner. Earlier in the game, NNU had scored three runs on a homer by Kristin Refsland.

In the first game, the Coyotes (11-13) won 6-5 in a "true" walk-off fashion, scoring twice in the seventh. A bases-loaded walk to Kailie Kurdy forced in the winning run.

In the top of the inning, Chao had given NNU a 5-4 lead with a RBI double.

Chao finished the twinbill with three hits and five RBI. Haley Hevern and Refsland also had three hits for the Crusaders. Danielle Villyard had seven RBI for the Coyotes, five in the second game when she homered twice.

Nicole Grummons (4-12) got the win for NNU in the nightcap. Chelsey Anderson pitched the seventh, allowing two hits but no runs to earn a save. Anderson was the first-game loser.