ST. GEORGE, Utah – A day after being stymied offensively, the Northwest Nazarene softball team busted out.

The Nighthawks hit seven home runs on the day as they defeated Notre Dame de Namur 11-3 in five innings and Hawai'I Hilo 8-5 at the Dixie State Courtyard Classic.

"It was a crazy day," NNU coach Rich Wagner said. "They made really good adjustments on multiple pitchers today. They faced five different pitchers and did a good job of covering both sides of the plate. Offensively, it was a good day."

In the opener, Ivy Hommel hit a two-run shot in the first inning and Maia McNicoll capped the win with a three-run blast in the fifth.

In between, Emma Mulligan had a run-scoring double and stole home, while Madison Felter added a sacrifice fly.

Rae Young earned the win in the circle, allowing no runs on one hit in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Sidney Booth came on in relief allowing three runs – two earned – in 3 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven.

Mulligan finished 2-for-2 with four runs scored, Hommel was 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks and Brittany Genuardi was 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.

In the nightcap, the Nighthawks (6-2 overall) jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to solo homers from Mulligan, Hommel, Madison Felter and Nicole Zuvela.

After Hilo got on the board on a sacrifice fly, Booth blasted a two-run shot to center field to make it 6-1.

Things got tense from there as the Vulcans loaded the bases with no outs after pulling within 6-2 against starter Tori Hensley. Booth came on in relief and allowed just one unearned run to escape the jam up 6-3.

In the sixth, though, the Vulcans again loaded the bases this time with one out and one run in. Jackie Vargas came on in relief of Booth and after walking the leadoff batter on four pitches, she got a strikeout and a fly out to escape the jam up 6-5.

"Hilo hits and puts the barrel (of the bat) on the ball really, really well," Wagner said. "When the bases are loaded, you have to stop the bleeding and hit a couple of spots. They both did a great job commanding the strike zone.

"Jackie did a really, really good job in a tight situation. I was really proud of her."

Booth capped the sweep off with a two-run triple in the top of the seventh to put the game away.

Booth finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs, while Mulligan was 2-for-3 and Hommel was 2-for-4.

Tori Hensley earned her first win of the season, allowing three runs – one earned – on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in four innings pitched.

"Tori has been working hard and for her to come in and command the zone the way she did was great," Wagner said. "She still hasn't had all of her pitches working like she wants to, but she's been grinding."

The Nighthawks play Metro State at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Fort Lewis at 3 p.m. to wrap up the Courtyard Classic.