Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BILLINGS, Mont. – One hit, and the Crusaders nearly pulled out the comeback win.

It wasn't a pitcher's duel, but the Northwest Nazarene softball team battled back late against host Montana State Billings, only to fall 6-4 in the opener of the team's Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

The Crusaders then collected a half-dozen hits in the nightcap, only to suffer a 7-1 setback.

In the opener, trailing 6-0 and being no-hit, NNU (11-27 overall, 3-12 GNAC) battled back in a most unorthodox fashion.

Justine Callen led off with a double, then three walks and four fielder's choices led to four Crusader runners crossing home plate.

The rally came within one more base hit of tying the game, as NNU put runners at second and third with two outs, before the Yellowjackets (15-18, 7-11) were able to finish off the victory.

NNU's offense did a bit better in the nightcap – in terms of collecting hits - as Callen and Megan Lounsbury each went 2-for-3 at the plate, with Lounsbury singling home the lone run for the Crusaders in the top of the third.

That answered a seven-run rally by MSU Billings in the bottom of the second inning, which proved decisive in the contest.

Callen's three hits on the day led the Crusaders and gave the redshirt sophomore a 5-of-11 effort at the plate for the weekend as she hit safely in all four ballgames for NNU.

The Crusaders remain on the road next week as they play a make-up game Thursday at St. Martin's before heading to Western Washington for four more games on Friday and Saturday.