IRVINE, Calif. — Northwest Nazarene split Saturday's doubleheader with Concordia University Irvine, dropping a tightly contested Game 1, 6–5, before bouncing back in emphatic fashion with a 9–6 victory in Game 2 behind a massive sixth-inning offensive surge.
Game 1 – CUI 6, NNU 5
The Nighthawks struck first in the top of the second inning when Emma Bumatay launched a solo home run to even the score at 1–1. Concordia answered with a solo shot of its own in the bottom half to regain the lead, taking a 2–1 advantage.
NNU continued to respond offensively, tying the game again in the fourth as Bumatay delivered her second home run of the day, knotting the score at 2–2. The Eagles capitalized on defensive miscues in the bottom of the inning, scoring three unearned runs to move ahead 5–2.
Northwest Nazarene refused to back down, rallying in the fifth inning with aggressive baserunning and clutch hitting. Hailey Harris delivered a key RBI double to pull the Nighthawks within one, trimming the deficit to 5–4.
Concordia added an insurance run in the sixth, but NNU made things interesting in the final frame. Keana Bell doubled to set the table, and Harris came through once again with an RBI single to bring the Nighthawks within one at 6–5. The comeback effort ultimately fell short, as the tying run was left on base to end the game.
Bumatay led the Nighthawks offensively with two home runs, while Harris finished with multiple RBIs in a strong performance at the plate. Northwest Nazarene showed resilience throughout, battling to the final out and setting the tone heading into Game 2 of the doubleheader.
Game 2 – NNU 9, CUI 6
The Nighthawks wasted no time responding in Game 2, using a four-run third inning and a five-run sixth to secure the series split.
After Concordia scored once in the first and again in the second to take a 2–0 lead, Northwest Nazarene erupted in the top of the third. Riglee Peterson worked a walk and scored on an RBI double from Ava Clark. The inning continued as the Nighthawks took advantage of defensive miscues before Emma Bumatay delivered an RBI single and Ashley Espino added a sacrifice fly to cap a four-run frame and give NNU a 4–2 lead.
The Nighthawks maintained that advantage into the fifth before Concordia surged ahead with a four-run bottom half to move in front, 6–4.
Northwest Nazarene answered in dramatic fashion in the sixth inning. After loading the bases, Clark drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Jami Obringer crushed a three-run home run to swing the momentum back to the Nighthawks. Moments later, Keana Bell followed with a solo home run, completing a five-run inning and extending the lead to 9–6.
NNU shut the door defensively over the final two innings, holding Concordia scoreless to secure the win. Obringer led the way in Game 2 with a three-RBI home run, while Bell and Bumatay also homered on the day.
The split moves Northwest Nazarene forward with confidence after showing resilience, timely power, and the ability to respond under pressure.
Up Next
The Nighthawks will be back in action on Friday the 6th as they go head to head with Regis at 12 pm Pacific time.
