Game One Boxscore
Game Two Boxscore

NAMPA, Idaho - Four Crusaders hit home runs on Saturday as the Northwest Nazarene University softball team defeated Montana State University Billings 9-7 in the opening game of a GNAC twinbill at Halle Field.  The Yellowjackets bounced back to win game two 11-5, but the Crusaders took three of four from MSUB in the weekend series.

 

The Crusaders (5-8, 4-4) will return to action on March 18th and 19th, hosting Saint Martin's University in a GNAC four-game set.

 

Kristin Refsland started the power surge for the Crusaders in the opener with a two-run blast to leftfield in the first inning.  Cara Duckworth followed with a two-run shot to centerfield in the second both Arielle Chao and Elizabeth Beaty sent solo home runs to centerfield in the fourth.

 

Duckworth followed her home run with a two-run triple in the sixth and finished the game 2 for 3 with four RBI's and two runs scored.  Chao was also 2 for 3.

 

Chelsey Anderson (2-3) earned the win in the circle and Annaleisha Parsley (2-5) took the loss for MSUB.

 

Tarn Potter, Meg Harasymczuk and Kelly Parsons each had three hits for the 'Jackets in game one.

 

In game two, the 'Jackets out-hit the Crusaders 14 to 7 as Jenna VanEykeren was 3 for 5 and Kaycee Hoffman, Parsons, Madison Smith and Rachel Eisenmann each had two hits. 

 

Parsons gave MSUB the lead with a two-run homerun in the second and Hoffman added a two-run dinger in the third as part of a six-run rally for MSUB.  Parsons went back-to-back with Hoffman in the third-inning rally for her second homerun of the game and fourth of the season.

 

Nicole Grummons (3-5), who took the loss in the circle, and Sarah Varady each finished 2 for 3 for the Crusaders in game two and Duckworth added to her RBI totals with another two-run triple to finish with six RBI's on the day.

 

Kasie Conder (4-3) earned the pitching win for MSUB.