Game One
Game Two

Senior Day 2011 at Elmore Vail Field was one to remember.  The Crusaders took game one of their double-header against Central Washington University, 8-5.  Game two saw a late inning comeback capped off with a game-winning single by senior captain Ryan Udy, allowing the Crusader seniors to win their final game at home, 7-6.  NNU took 3 of 4 games from the Wildcats on the weekend.

Prior to Saturday's double-header, family, friends, fans, and the NNU baseball team honored ten seniors for their dedication to NNU baseball over the past years.  Saturday's games were the last they would play on their home turf, Elmore Vail Field.

Scoring for both teams started in the 3rd inning of game one.  RBI singles on each side allowed both teams to score one run in their frame of the inning.

A two run homerun in the top of the 4th by Jimmy Ryerson put the Wildcats on top, but NNU had an answer in the bottom of the inning.  A two out double my Sean McDonald scored Justin Henry and Zach Hibbard.  After a single by Ty WIndall and a stolen base, a Derek Bettinson single through the right side of the infield scored another two Crusaders.

NNU's final runs came in the bottom of the 7th.  Bettinson led off the inning with a homerun to left-center field.  A walk to Ryan Van Beek, a single by Logan Parker, and a passed ball set the stage for Henry.  A line drive single to right plated both baserunners, propelling the Crusaders to an 8-3 lead.

In the 8th, CWU scored two runs on two hits and took advantage of one NNU error to bring the score to within 3, but that was as close as they would get.  2010 GNAC Relief Pitcher of the Year Kalen Hruza came in to seal the deal in the 9th, giving NNU a win by a final score of 8-5.

McDonald, Windall, Parker, and Henry all had two hits in the game.  Bettinson went 3-for-4 with four RBI's and a homerun.  Windall continued to add to his stolen base total, adding two more in game one for a total of 29 on the season.

In game two, CWU came out firing, putting up three runs in the top of the 1st and two in the top of the 4th.  NNU was able to score a single run in the bottom of the 4th with a Windall single and stolen base, and a Bettinson RBI double.

The Wildcats added another run in the top of the 6th on a sacrifice fly to left by Ryerson.  That improved the Wildcat advantage to 6-1 heading into the NNU half of the inning.

NNU started their 6th inning with a single by Bettinson.  Van Beek was hit by a pitch and Parker singled on a bunt towards first base.  Zach Morse struck out after he came in to hit for the pitcher, Aaron Vaughn (NNU went to a nine man line-up when McDonald entered to pitch).  Senior Ryan Udy walked, and Drew Drilk stepped up to pinch hit for Hibbard.  Drilk singled to right-center, plating two runs.  Bryan Hunt pinch ran for Drilk and stole second base.  Udy was able to score on a ground-out by Cameron Louie, to pull NNU to within one run of the Wildcats.

Morse stayed in the game and went to the mound, retiring the side in four batters.  The bottom of the last inning started with a Ty Windall double that dropped just inside the right field line.  Bettinson flew out to center, Van Beek was hit by a pitch, and Parker knocked another single.  Morse tied the game with a two-hop ground ball between second and first.  Coach Onofrei put a pinch runner in for Van Beek at third; Zeb Sneed, game one's starting pitcher.  In a fitting end, Ryan Udy hit a scorching ground ball in the same spot Morse hit his, boosting NNU to victory.

Morse was able to garner his first win of the season.  Windall, Bettinson, and Parker all had two hits.  Windall stole two more bases in game two of the double dip, bringing his season total to 31 of 31.  Coach Onofrei played 21 different guys in his effort to coach the team to a comeback win.

The Crusader baseball team will return to action this weekend as they travel to Montana State University-Billings for double-headers on Friday and Saturday.