Nampa, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene baseball capped off their weekend with a dominant series sweep over Western Oregon, taking all four games. The Nighthawks delivered standout offensive performances throughout the series, highlighted by an 8–2 win in game one and a 7–2 victory in game two on April 5.
This is the first time in NNU's DII history that they have swept Western Oregon in a four-game series. The Nighthawks also extended their winning streak to 12 games, improving to 27-10 overall and 16-3 in GNAC play on the season.
Game One
Western Oregon came out strong in the top of the first, with a leadoff solo home run from Danner Salisbury and an RBI single by John Oleson to take a 2–0 lead. However, NNU quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. After Bryan Rojas doubled and Kaleb Karpstein was hit by a pitch, Adrian Arechiga ripped a 2-RBI triple to right, tying the game at 2–2.
The Nighthawks took their first lead in the third inning when Carson Burns knocked in Gavin Brubaker, who had reached on a single and stolen second, putting NNU ahead 3–2.
NNU's pitching staff held Western Oregon scoreless for the next eight innings, allowing only four hits after the first inning.
The Nighthawks broke things open in the sixth with a two-run homer to left center from Karpstein, extending the lead to 5–2. Then, in the bottom of the eighth, Cole Calnon added the exclamation point with a towering three-run homer after Arechiga was hit by a pitch and Karpstein singled. This sent the Nighthawks away with the 8-2 victory.
Game Two
The final game of the series got off to an exciting start with both teams getting on the board in the first inning. The Wolves scored on an RBI by Irwin and the Nighthawks responded with an RBI of their own from Adrian Arechiga.
NNU took the lead in the second inning with a huge knock by Casey Wayne over the left field fence. This also brought home Gavin Brubaker to set the score at 3-1. A single by Cris Enriquez brought in the security run the Nighthawks needed to sit at a comfortable lead.
Cole Calnon continues to have a stand out season on the mound pitching all seven innings. He recorded 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, 4 hits allowed, and 1 run.
The Nighthawks put the cherry on top in the 6th inning when Karpstein hit his second home run of the day scoring 3 more runs. Despite a late run by the Wolves the Nighthawks ended the evening on top, 7-2.
Up Next
The Nighthawks will hit the road this coming week to travel to Billings, Montana. They will compete against MSUB Yellowjackets in a four game series beginning on April 11th. The first game will start at 1:00 pm at Dehler Park.
