LA MIRADA, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene softball opened the 2022 campaign at the Concordia Kickoff Classic with a very tough task against third-ranked Biola, falling to the Eagles 3-0 on Thursday afternoon.
How It Happened
- Biola was able to put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first on two hits, but both tallies were unearned as they came with two outs after a Nighthawks' error earlier in the inning.
- NNU struggled to get anything going offensively against the favorite for West Region Pitcher of the Year Paige Austin, who struck out 17 Nighthawks hitters in seven innings, allowing just one hit and three walks.
- The Nighthawks' best chance came in the second, when Sidney Booth led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a one-out single from Madison Felter, the only NNU hit of the game. With two outs, Booth and Felter both moved up a station on a wild pitch, but they were stranded at second and third.
- The Eagles tacked on their other run in the bottom of the third, as a leadoff double came around to score on a one-out sacrifice bunt.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU, receiving votes in the preseason NFCA poll, moves to 0-1 on the season.
- As mentioned, Felter had the lone hit for NNU, with Booth, Emma Mulligan, and Dominique Trevino each drawing walks. Abby Gagnon was the fifth and final Nighthawk to reach base, doing so on a hit-by-pitch.
- Booth pitched well in her 2022 debut on the mound, but was saddled with the loss after allowing just the one earned run in six innings, striking out three with no walks.
Next Up
The Nighthawks continue action in the Concordia Kickoff Classic, heading over to Irvine tomorrow for a pair of games against Concordia and Chico State.
