Box Score CHICO, Calif. – The Northwest Nazarene softball team gave Chico State everything it could handle for five innings Thursday.

But the No. 2 team in the country proved to be too difficult to hold off for long.

The Nighthawks lost 5-2 to Chico State in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament's West 2 Regional. It was Chico State's 26th consecutive victory.

"We played really well today against one of the top teams in the nation," NNU coach Rich Wagner said. "We look forward to getting back out there tomorrow."

NNU (31-22) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth thanks to a leadoff single by Brittany Genuardi. Lauren Bassett pinch ran and moved to second on a ground out by Lisa Sylvester. Shelbie Martinez then singled to right, moving up to second on an error which also allowed Bassett to score for a 1-0 lead.

After an Abigail Otto groundout, Anna Olson hit a two-out single to center scoring Martinez for a 2-0 lead.

The Nighthawks appeared poised to add to their lead in the fifth, putting runners at second and third with one out but Genuardi and Martinez grounded out.

Chico State got on the board in the bottom half of the inning as Claire Wayne hit a solo home run to left.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats took the lead for good putting together a rally where they only hit one ball out of the infield.

Cyrena Taylor singled to first base, Karli Skowrup walked and then Bailey Akins bunted, but reached on a fielder's choice when the throw went to third and the runner was called safe.

After a strikeout, Amanda Flores was hit by a pitch to tie the game, Megan Bowley walked to give Chico a 3-2 lead and after a foul pop out, Kristin Worley singled to center to score two runs, while another runner was thrown out on the basepaths.

Just like that, NNU trailed 5-2.

The Nighthawks were retired in order in the top of the seventh.

"This team still has a lot of good softball left to play," Wagner said. "We are looking forward to competing tomorrow."

With the loss, NNU will face UC San Diego (35-18) at 2:30 p.m. MDT on Friday in an elimination game. Chico State (51-3) will face California Baptist (34-10) at 12 p.m. MDT in a semifinal. The loser of that game will play the winner of the NNU game in another elimination game.

Anna Williams finished 2-for-4, while Orr, Genuardi, Martinez and Olson all had one hit each. Jordan Adams gave up five runs on seven hits with five walks and nine strikeouts while taking the loss.