SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene softball saw their NCAA West Regional run come to an end on Friday, falling in a rematch against top seed Cal State San Marcos 4-0.
After defeating the Cougars 4-0 on Thursday, the Nighthawks lost to Sonoma State 4-0 on Friday morning to face the elimination game against CSUSM.
San Marcos struck first in the top of the first inning, as a leadoff walk stole second and advanced to third before coming home on a sacrifice fly to right.
NNU had their best chance in the fourth inning, when
Sidney Booth walked and
Tori Hensley singled to put two on with two out, but a strikeout ended the frame.
Hensley settled down after the leadoff walk in the first inning, retiring 17 of the next 18 batters with just a two-out double allowed in the third during that stretch for CSUSM's first hit of the game.
Trouble would come with two outs in the sixth, though, as a double to right center and a single blooped into left field added another run for the Cougars to build their lead to 2-0.
San Marcos added two more in the seventh, with two runs coming across on an error to give CSUSM the final 4-0 advantage.
Hensley's final line was a complete game of seven innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
The Nighthawks conclude their incredible season with a 35-21 overall record, setting a new program high for wins in a season. NNU won their second-straight GNAC regular season championship and the GNAC Tournament title, and won a game at the NCAA West Regional for the second year in a row.
