NAMPA, Idaho – For the first time in program history, the NNU softball team run-ruled a single opponent over four games.

The Nighthawks swept Montana State Billings on Saturday, winning 10-1 and 9-1 in five innings. They also won two games in five innings Friday.

The wins put NNU (25-12 overall, 14-10 GNAC) back in the playoff hunt as Western Washington, which entered the day two games ahead of the Nighthawks, comes to Nampa for a pair of doubleheaders next weekend.

"It was really just a lot of fun," NNU senior Anna Williams said. "I think a lot of us were just tired of having adversity, so it was really nice to just have fun together.

"I feel like it took a lot of stress off of next weekend and we are completely capable of taking care of business. We are ready to go and I'm not worried."

The 2006 NNU softball team won four consecutive games by run rule, but it was against two teams – both NAIA schools.

"It's really big for us," NNU senior Rylee Thomas said. "I think it is a big growing point for us overall."

Thomas, along with her teammates, had been scuffling a bit the last few weeks. The Nighthawks had split back-to-back series and Thomas had lost three in a row herself.

Both have righted the ship, though, as Thomas is on a personal three game winning streak and NNU has erased any sour taste from last weekend with the four wins against the Yellowjackets (11-31, 4-20).

"I think it is just more of my positive mentality," Thomas said of the change in fortunes for her. "Even if I get down 3-0, I tell myself I'm better than the batter and I can go back and get her. I've been doing that and lessening my walks and going at batters one at a time."

On Saturday, she carried a no hitter into the fourth inning, and though it was broken up by a home run by Hailee Gregerson, it was the only hit she allowed.

Thomas moved to 7-8 on the season after allowing one run on one hit with one walk and four strikeouts.

Cassidy Fifield hit a solo homer, Shelbie Martinez had three RBIs and Anna Olson had a three-run double as the Nighthawks cruised to the victory.

"We changed some things in practice this week," Williams said. "I think everyone really just bought in and were like, 'Hey, it's time to get down to business.'

"We all took huge strides forward this week during practice and on our own and it was just awesome to see it be put it into the game."

The Nighthawks also just appeared to have a lot of fun Saturday. That's easy to do when you are winning big, but it's something the team has gotten away from the last month or so.

When Fifield and Williams hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the fourth in the second game, they had a mock argument about whose ball went further.

Williams assured Fifield and everyone around her that hers definitely sailed into the ditch.

The dugout was especially loud in the second game, chanting and providing encouragement to their teammates.

Jordan Adams got the win in the second game, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Martinez was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, Olson was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Williams was 2-for-4 and Kylie Orr was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.