Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore

NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene softball team split Saturday's conference twinbill against Central Washington winning the opener 2-1 but falling 11-9 in game two at Halle Field in Nampa.

The Crusaders won the first game 2-1 as Cara Duckworth allowed seven hits and just one unearned run in seven innings and were on the verge of earning a split of the four-game series leading 8-1 midway through the contest.

NNU (1-7, 1-3 GNAC) was still up by six going into the final frame before CWU (4-5, 3-1 GNAC) put together six hits including RBI singles by Kyleen Sweepe, Cassi Ellis, Kristina Sherriff and Jordan Zurfluh and two fielder's choice RBIs to tie the game.

Elena Carter then singled down the right field line for two runs to break the 9-9 deadlock.

Breanna Thomas led CWU with three hits. Thomas, Jen Schwartz and Carter each drove in two runs.

Arielle Chao had three hits and Elizabeth Beaty hit a three-run home run to lead NNU to its early lead.

In the first game, NNU got runs in the third and fifth on a ground out by Duckworth and a single by Chao.

The Crusaders will be back in action next weekend at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Wash.