NAMPA, Idaho – Every game the Northwest Nazarene softball team plays the rest of the season is a must-win game.

The Nighthawks answered the bell Friday, sweeping Montana State Billings 12-0 and 8-0 in a pair of five-inning games.

"It was really good for us to get some wins going," senior Cassidy Fifield said. "We had really good chemistry, so that was really cool."

NNU (23-20 overall, 12-10 GNAC) entered the weekend two games out of a playoff spot and enter Saturday down just one game to Western Oregon with six regular-season games left.

"Since the top four teams are all playing each other, there will be losses in there," junior Brittany Genuardi said. "So, it was pretty important for us to get two wins today."

The Nighthawks used an eight-run third inning to blow open the first game, sending 10 batters to the plate in the inning.

Abigail Otto started with a walk and scored on a Shelbie Martinez double. Lauren Bassett then singled and Rae Young reached on an error that scored a run to make it 5-0.

Fifield then singled off the pitcher's foot, driving in a run for a 6-0 lead. After Anna Williams walked, Kylie Orr reached on an error and two runs scored on another error.

Genuardi then crushed a three-run home run down the right field line.

"I've been working on outside pitches for a while now," she said. "Getting an outside pitch this weekend was God given. I was able to drive it that way and I didn't really think it was going to go out. I thought it was going to hit the fence, so I was surprised."

Rylee Thomas earned the win in the circle, allowing just three hits with no walks and two strikeouts in the shutout.

"She is doing so good right now," Fifield said. "It's super exciting. I'm just so happy for her because she's killing it and working her butt off. It's really fun to watch, especially from center field."

Genuardi finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs, while Fifield had two RBIs and the Nighthawks worked eight walks as well.

In the nightcap, a pitcher's duel broke out for three and a half innings until the Nighthawks pushed across five runs to break the game open.

Martinez worked a one-out walk and moved to second on a single by Bassett. After a fly out, Rae Young singled to load the bases and Fifield reached on an error that scored two runs to make it 3-0.

Williams followed with a single and another run scored on another error. Orr followed with a run-scoring single and just like that it was 6-0.

NNU walked it off in the fifth as Abi Otto doubled and Bassett singled to put runners at the corners. Madison Strickler then singled in a run and Young lifted a sacrifice fly to center for the game-winner.

Bassett finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Orr was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Jordan Adams earned the win in the circle, allowing two hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Now the Nighthawks need to find a way to keep the momentum going Saturday.

"I think we just need to keep doing what we are doing," Fifield said. "I think we are celebrating each other's success right now and that is huge. We've just got to keep pushing each other to be successful."