IRVINE, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene took on Westcliff University in an exhibition game on Thursday, defeating the Warriors 12-3.
The contest was the final tune-up for the Nighthawks before they open the 2025 season this weekend at the Concordia Kickoff Classic, taking on Cal State San Bernardino, Hawaii Pacific, Cal State San Marcos, and Chaminade across Friday and Saturday.
NNU got on the scoreboard early against Westcliff, tallying four runs in the top of the first. In the inning,
Keana Bell had a two-run double and
Jami Obringer notched an RBI single.
Ava Clark added another run in the second with an RBI triple to put the Nighthawks up 5-0. The Warriors were able to get three runs back on three hits and a walk in the bottom of the third, cutting the lead to 5-3.
That was as close as Westcliff would come, though, as NNU scored one run in the fourth and three each in the fifth and seventh innings to take the 12-3 victory. Obringer had another RBI single, while
Annie Swanson and
Emilie Hernandez each had RBI doubles.
Clark finished the game with a 4-5 effort at the plate and score three times. Bell and Obringer each also had two hits for NNU.
The Nighthawks threw six pitchers in the exhibition, with
Charlotte Forniss getting the start and going two hitless, shutout innings.
Lynsey Chiala tossed the third, followed by
Riley McGee,
Miah Lusk,
Victoria Frias, and
Olivia Davies each recording a scoreless frame.
As mentioned, NNU will now officially get the 2025 season underway tomorrow on Friday, Jan. 31, taking on Cal State San Bernardino at 1:30 p.m. Pacific in game one of the Concordia Kickoff Classic in Irvine.
