IRVINE, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene softball used a familiar formula to win their opener at the NCAA West Regional on Thursday, dominating in the circle and notching a timely hit to defeat Cal State San Bernardino 1-0.
Kellcie Adams delivered the winning single in the bottom of the ninth to give the No. 4 seeded Nighthawks a 1-0 win over No. 5 seed CSUSB in the opening game of the regional at Golden Eagles Field.
Sidney Booth drew a walk to lead off the ninth, before pinch-runner
Siolo Church advanced to second on
Abigail Gagnon's sacrifice bunt and to third on pinch-hitter
Emma Bumatay's single.
Charlotte Forniss was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Adams delivered a single to center field to plate Church for the victory.
It was the only run of the game in an exciting duel between Booth and CSUSB starter Samantha Vargas, who combined to allow just six hits total in the game. Booth allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 11 to win her 19th game of the season. This was the second 1-0 victory for Booth and the Nighthawks over CSUSB this year, as she no-hit the Yotes back on Feb. 4.
The Nighthawks have now won 11 games in a row dating back to April 21. In the last 10 contests, NNU pitchers have allowed just six total combined runs with five shutouts, a miniscule 0.6 runs per game.
With the win, Northwest Nazarene (37-15) will advance to face the winner of Thursday's second game between No. 1 seed Concordia and No. 8 seed Biola on Friday at 11 a.m. Pacific.
Both pitchers were solid through the first seven innings. Booth allowed her first runner in the second inning when Alyssa Martinez singled to center field. She then proceeded to retire the next nine batters in order and allowed just two more batters to reach base through the eighth inning.
The Nighthawks let had a great chance to win it in the eighth inning. Adams drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Obringer reached on an error.
Clarissa Moreno moved Adams over with a sacrifice bunt but the Yotes were able to get out of the jam.
In the ninth, Cal State San Bernardino had the first chance to put the first run on the board as Tereise Tosi singled to left center with one out and advanced to second when Kaylee Williamson was hit by a pitch. Booth was unphased, retiring Martinez to end the Coyotes' threat.
It was then time for Adams' heroics, mobbed by her teammates after the huge walk-off hit.
This is the second-straight season that NNU has won their opening game at regionals. NNU will now look to do what no Nighthawks softball team has done before – win a second game in the NCAA postseason and put themselves in a great position to advance to super regionals.
