NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene softball team completed a four-game series sweep of Montana State Billings on Saturday, defeating the Yellowjackets 10–1 in five innings in game one of the doubleheader before securing a 5–1 victory in the second game. The Nighthawks took the first two games of the series on Friday before finishing off the sweep with both wins on Saturday.
Game 1 – NNU 10, MSUB 1 (5 innings)
Montana State Billings struck first in the top of the opening inning when Theilen hit a solo home run to left center to give the Yellowjackets an early 1–0 lead.
The Nighthawks responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Ava Clark tied the game with a solo home run to left center, and later Keana Bell delivered an RBI single that scored Hailey Harris, giving NNU a 2–1 advantage after one.
Northwest Nazarene added another run in the second inning when Clark tripled down the left field line and later scored on an error to extend the lead to 3–1.
The game broke open in the third inning as the Nighthawks plated six runs. Bell started the rally with an RBI double before Lola Crosby followed with an RBI single. Riglee Peterson added an RBI double, and Jami Obringer drove in two runs with a single through the left side. Harris capped the inning with an RBI single to push the lead to 9–1.
Northwest Nazarene added its final run in the fourth inning when Bell launched her second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field, making the score 10–1.
In the circle, Miah Lusk earned the win for the Nighthawks, tossing a complete five innings. Lusk allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking two to improve to 10–3 on the season.
Game 2 – NNU 5, MSUB 1
The second game of the doubleheader turned into a pitching battle through the first four innings, with both teams unable to break through offensively.
Montana State Billings got on the board in the fourth inning after loading the bases. Villas reached on an error that allowed a run to score, giving the Yellowjackets a 1–0 lead.
Northwest Nazarene responded in the bottom of the fifth inning with a five-run rally. Obringer reached on a throwing error that allowed Peterson to score and tie the game. Moments later, Emma Bumatay delivered a single through the left side that brought in two runs to give the Nighthawks their first lead of the game.
Bell followed with an RBI double, and Paisley Noyer added an RBI single to cap the inning and extend the NNU lead to 5–1.
The Nighthawks held MSUB scoreless over the final two innings to secure the doubleheader sweep and complete the four-game series sweep of the Yellowjackets.
Up Next
The Nighthawks will hit the road next week to compete in their first conference match up of the season. They will face off in a four game series against Saint Martin's starting on March 20th at 1 pm Pacific.
