Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene University softball team got a little bit of revenge on the team that knocked them out of postseason contention a year ago.
The Nighthawks split with Western Oregon, winning the opener 10-2 in six innings before dropping the nightcap 11-5.

"We were very motivated today because we know Western Oregon is a very solid team and last year they bumped us from a spot in the playoffs," NNU's Kylie Orr said. "We were very prepared to face (Haley Fabian) and we were having quality at bats and swinging at good pitches.

"Part of what worked so well was hitting early in the count and coming up with clutch two-out hits."

A year ago, the Wolves defeated Central Washington on the final day of the season to end NNU's hopes of reaching the GNAC tournament.

While a regular-season doubleheader split certainly doesn't erase those memories, it is still a strong showing against one of the top teams in the GNAC this season.

"We've been talking about preparing and performing and I think that if we can all focus on those two things as much as possible, we will always be competitive," Orr said, "and put ourselves in a good position to win."

In the opener, the Nighthawks trailed 1-0 in the third when Lisa Sylvester led off with a single. After a sacrifice by Anna Olson moved her to second, Cassidy Fifield eventually singled her home with two outs. Anna Williams then walked and Orr ripped a two-run double to make it 3-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, NNU continued to pour it on.

Abigail Otto and Sylvester singled around an out and Olson walked to load the bases. Lily Paschal then reached on a fielder's choice to make it 4-2 with two outs.

Fifield followed with a single to load the bases and Williams then blasted a grand slam to left center to make it 8-2.

"The first pitch she threw me was inside and it was kind of low," Williams said. "I was thinking, 'If that is a little higher I was hitting that pitch.' She brought it up for me and I swung at that one.

"It's very satisfying. It makes you feel like you are giving back to your teammates."

NNU then walked off the win in the sixth with a sacrifice fly by Otto and a run-scoring single by Sylvester.

Fifield finished 3-for-4 with an RBI, Williams was 1-for-2 with three runs scored and four RBIs, Orr was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Sylvester was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Jordan Adams struck out 10 in six innings for the victory.

In the nightcap, the Nighthawks couldn't overcome Zoe Clark. The centerfielder hit an RBI triple in the first inning, a three-run home run in the third and a two-run home run in the seventh. She also hit a solo blast in the opener.

Fifield was 2-for-4 with a run, Orr was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, Otto and Shelbie Martinez were each 2-for-4 with an RBI and Olson was 2-for-4.

"Their second pitcher took us out of our own at bats," Williams said. "She kind of dictated what we did at the plate. (Friday) we really need to focus on making sure we stay in our game at the plate. We chased a lot of changeups and we don't normally do that, and that got us off balance."

The Nighthawks hope to bounce back with a sweep Friday with the doubleheader starting at 12 p.m.

"We need to stay within ourselves and stick to our approaches that were effective at the plate," Orr said. "I have a lot of confidence in this team and know that we have what it takes. If we put our best games together, we will be very tough to beat."