PORTLAND, Ore. – The Northwest Nazarene baseball team had its chances Wednesday, but couldn't capitalize in the clutch.

The Nighthawks lost 10-2 to Western Oregon in the first round of the GNAC Baseball Championships at Concordia University in Portland.

The Nighthawks (24-23) had the leadoff runner on in each of the first three innings and had runners at the corners in the fourth and the bases loaded in the sixth but came up empty each time.

"We had baserunners in just about every inning," NNU coach Joe Schaefer said. "We did a really good job of making their starter work and throw pitches and we had run-scoring opportunities.

"We just couldn't come up with the big hit. It's a whole different ballgame if we are able to grab a lead."

NNU will play the loser of Saint Martin's-MSU Billings at 12:30 p.m. PDT on Thursday in an elimination game. If the Nighthawks win they will then play again at 7 p.m. Thursday in another elimination game.

After a bases loaded pop up ended NNU's threat in the top of the sixth, momentum swung firmly in Western Oregon's favor in the bottom half.

The Wolves (30-11) hit a one-out double and a two-run home run to take a 5-0 lead.

The Nighthawks got on the board in the eighth on a two-run double by Shawn Grandmont and then had runners at first and second with one out, but Michael Hults grounded into a double play to end the threat.

The Wolves then blew the game open with a five-run eighth.

Parker Price finished 2-for-4 and Ben Johnson was 2-for-5, while Rocco Ferrari was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Jesse Hilyard took the loss, allowing five runs – four earned – on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

"We had shots and didn't cash in," Schaefer said. "Jesse deserves a ton of credit. He pitched really, really well and everything got out of hand in the bottom of the eighth. Up until that point, he was pretty darn good."
 
2019 GNAC Baseball Championships
At Concordia University, Portland, Ore.
All game times PDT
WEDNESDAY
Championship first round
Game 1: Western Oregon 10, Northwest Nazarene 2
Game 2: Saint Martin's (19-30) vs. Montana State Billings (30-18), 6 p.m.
THURSDAY
Elimination game
Game 3: Northwest Nazarene (24-23) vs. Game 2 loser, 12:30 p.m.
Championship semifinal
Game 4: Western Oregon (30-11) vs. Game 2 winner, 3:30 p.m.
Elimination game
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Championship
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 12 p.m.
Game 7: Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 3:30 p.m. (only necessary if Game 5 winner wins Game 6)