IRVINE, Calif. – Northwest Nazarene softball opened the 2025 season with a pair of victories at the Concordia Kickoff Classic on Friday, defeating Cal State San Bernardino 4-2 and Hawaii Pacific 4-3.
The 18
th-ranked Nighthawks will look to make it three in a row to start the season as the classic continues with two more games tomorrow.
Game One – NNU 4, CSUSB 2
The Nighthawks were able to take advantage of opportunities that they were given, scoring their four runs from three hits and six walks.
CSUSB got on the scoreboard first, as a triple to lead off the game came in to score in the top of the first inning. NNU responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, though, with
Emma Bumatay driving in a run on a fielder's choice and
Jami Obringer bringing home a run with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.
The Nighthawks added another run in the second when
Emma Mulligan scored after a CSUSB throwing error during a double steal. In the third,
Keana Bell notched an RBI double to extend NNU's lead to 4-1.
After giving up the run in the first inning, NNU starter
Miah Lusk settled in and did not allow a hit over the next four frames. The freshman earned the win in her collegiate debut, allowing just that one run on one hit while striking out eight.
Charlotte Forniss tossed two innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts.
Game Two – NNU 4, HPU 3
NNU struck first in game two of the day, with
Charlotte Forniss driving in
Clarissa Moreno with an RBI double in the top of the first inning. The Sharks responded in the bottom of the frame, though, scoring a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead.
That score remained until the fourth inning, when
Kellcie Adams and
Ava Clark both drove in runs to put NNU back on top 3-2. The Nighthawks added one more in the fifth on a
Jami Obringer sacrifice fly.
HPU cut the deficit to one with a run in the bottom of the sixth, but NNU would hold on for the 4-3 victory.
Victoria Frias started in the circle for NNU and earned the win, going four innings and allowing just one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Riley McGee tossed two innings of relief, followed by
Miah Lusk throwing a scoreless seventh for the save.
Next Up
The Nighthawks have two more games at the Concordia Kickoff Classic on Saturday, taking on No. 23 Cal State San Marcos at 8:30 a.m. Pacific and Chaminade at 1:00 p.m. Pacific.
