LAKE ELSINORE, California – The Northwest Nazarene softball team battled through eight innings in a tightly contested matchup but ultimately fell to Colorado Christian, 3–2, in extra innings on Tuesday the 3rd.

The Nighthawks struck first in the top of the opening inning. After Ava Clark singled to center and stole second, Hailey Harris delivered an RBI single to bring Clark home and give NNU an early 1–0 lead.

Northwest Nazarene's defense and pitching kept Colorado Christian off the board through the first three innings, retiring the Cougars in order twice and limiting them to just one hit through the second. CCU tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a sacrifice fly following a triple, evening the score at 1–1.

Both teams were held scoreless through regulation, as strong defensive play and timely pitching on both sides kept the game locked heading into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, NNU capitalized on the international tiebreaker. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third, Clark lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate the go-ahead run, putting the Nighthawks up 2–1.

Colorado Christian responded in the bottom of the eighth, using a two-run home run to walk off the game and secure the 3–2 victory.

Harris led the Nighthawks offensively with an RBI single, while Clark reached base twice and drove in the go-ahead run in extras. Northwest Nazarene showed resilience throughout the contest, forcing extra innings and competing until the final at-bat.

The Nighthawks will look to bounce back as they take the field against CU Irvine tomorrow the 4th for a double header starting at 3 pm Pacific time.