ELLENSBURG, Wash. – After a loss in their GNAC Championships opener yesterday, Northwest Nazarene softball bounced back with a 4-0 win over three-seed Western Washington on Friday to send the Vikings home and avoid elimination in the tournament.
With the victory, the top-seeded Nighthawks advance to play another game later tonight against the loser of two-seed Saint Martin's and four-seed Central Washington, who both won their openers yesterday.
NNU improves to 31-19 on the year, equaling the program record for wins in a season that was set last year in their run to the NCAA West Regional.
After struggling to find offense on Thursday, the Nighthawks jumped out right away with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Emma Mulligan and
Ivy Hommel both reached and got to second and third before
Sidney Booth drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly.
Maia McNicoll followed with an RBI single through the left side and
Charlotte Forniss added an RBI single of her own before the inning was over.
NNU added one more in the second, as Booth notched her second sacrifice fly in as many innings to score Mulligan from third.
Those four runs would be more than enough for the Nighthawks, as Booth cruised in the circle with a complete-game shutout. The GNAC Pitcher of the Year allowed just three singles and one walk, striking out three and allowing just one baserunner to reach second base.
Seven Nighthawks registered a hit, led by a 2-4 effort from Mulligan with two runs scored. Booth also had two RBIs, while McNicoll added a walk and her GNAC-leading 62
nd RBI of the season.
Next Up
As mentioned, the Nighthawks will now play the loser of Saint Martin's and Central Washington in another elimination game later today, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Pacific. The Saints and Wildcats will play the middle game of the day at 12:30 p.m. after each winning their openers yesterday.
