LAS VEGAS, Nev. – One year ago to the day in a game against Cal State San Bernardino, Rae Young felt something in her arm pop.

She had recorded just two outs and the Northwest Nazarene pitcher's season in the circle was over just like that.

Fast forward 365 days and Young again was pitching against San Bernardino.

This time, she recorded 19 outs, earned a victory and helped lead the Nighthawks to a sweep Saturday at the Desert Stinger softball tournament in Las Vegas.

"I was excited and I had a lot of fun," she said. "It felt good just because I knew that last year I was pitching well and then a mishap happens and I end up throwing out my arm."

NNU defeated Sonoma State 10-7 and San Bernardino 6-2 to finish 4-1 at the annual tournament hosted by Montana State Billings.
 

"We won in so many different ways this weekend," NNU coach Rich Wagner said. "Falling behind and coming back like that shows a lot of character and how hard they worked.

"Our pitchers left us in positions to get back into games. It was awesome."

In the opener against Sonoma State, NNU jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third inning thanks to a run-scoring walk by Madison Felter and RBI singles by Young and Madison Strickler.

Sonoma State rallied to take a 6-5 lead heading into the top of the sixth, but the Nighthawks went to the long ball to rally for the win.

Ivy Hommel hit a two-run home run to put NNU ahead 7-6, Felter launched a solo shot and Maia McNicoll a two-run blast of her own. Just like that it was 10-6.

"They are working really hard and buying into making adjustments," Wagner said. "Every time a different pitcher comes in it takes a couple of batters and then they do a really good job of making the adjustments the coaches ask them too.

"They are not being selfish. They are having team at bats and when you do that and play for each other, good things happen."

Hommel finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Brittany Genuardi was 2-for-3, Sidney Booth scored two runs and Strickler drove in a pair.

Jackie Vargas earned the victory in relief, allowing one run – no earned – in four innings.

In the nightcap, Bernardino jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, but Emma Mulligan hit a leadoff homer to tie the game up in the bottom half.

Young then drove in a run, Emma Longoria had a run-scoring groundout, Abigail Gagnon had an RBI single and Mulligan drove in a run on an out.

The Nighthawks led 6-1 and Young made it stand up for the victory.

"This year we have a new emphasis and just pushed the girls to relax in pregame activities," said Young, who was able to play some first base a season ago before getting surgery in the offseason. "We dance around, have fun, stay loose and have smiles on our faces.

"I knew a lot of the freshmen were anxious, but it was really nice seeing them push through and have such a great weekend. I'm so proud of all of them."

Young allowed two runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings to earn her second win of the season. Booth got two outs for her first save.

Mulligan drove in two runs and had a hit, while Booth, Young, Longoria and Gagnon had the other hits for NNU.

The 4-1 mark is the best the Nighthawks have done at the Desert Stinger in their 10th trip to the tournament. Their only loss was to No. 6 UC San Diego by two runs.

"They are buying into it and it worked out great," Wagner said. "It was a fun weekend and it was fun to see all of them contribute and play hard."