Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Northwest Nazarene earned a split on Saturday against Central Washington, riding a dominant offensive showing in game one before dropping a tight contest in game two. 

Game One: 12-9 (H. Crews 2-1,) 

The Nighthawks put together one of their most complete offensive performances of the season in game one, racking up 12 runs on 18 hits and using timely hitting throughout to outlast Central Washington in a 12-9 win. 

Northwest Nazarene set the tone early, capitalizing on traffic on the bases and consistent pressure at the plate. The Nighthawks struck first and never stopped applying pressure, scoring in five separate innings and forcing the Wildcats to play from behind for most of the game. 

The biggest early swing came when Parker Sobiesiak launched a two-run home run to left field, capping a big inning and giving NNU early momentum. From there, the offense continued to string together quality at-bats, consistently putting runners in scoring position and cashing in. 

Central Washington responded with multiple big innings of their own, including a four-run third that briefly shifted momentum. But each time the Wildcats threatened, the Nighthawks had an answer. 

Liam Herrera delivered one of the most impressive individual performances of the season, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored. He consistently came through in key moments and set the tone offensively from top to bottom. 

Kyle Becker was equally impactful, finishing 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Becker reached base in all five of his plate appearances and was a constant presence on the basepaths. 

Kaleb Karpstein added three hits of his own, scoring twice and helping spark multiple rallies, while Coleman Parry turned in a strong day with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored out of the middle of the lineup. 

As a team, the Nighthawks totaled 18 hits, drove in 11 runs, and worked three walks, showcasing a balanced offensive attack that produced up and down the order. NNU also did damage late, plating six combined runs in the seventh and eighth innings to create crucial separation. 

On the mound, Northwest Nazarene pieced together the win with a bullpen effort. Hayden Crews earned the victory with two steady innings, allowing just one run while helping halt a Central Washington push in the middle innings. 

Gavin Brubaker followed with two scoreless innings, striking out three and limiting traffic to keep momentum on NNU's side heading into the late innings. 

The Wildcats made things interesting in the ninth, putting together a late rally to close the gap, but Wade Duncan came on to shut the door. Duncan recorded the final outs to secure his seventh save of the season and preserve the 12-9 victory. 

Game Two: 8-9 (H. Crews 2-2) 

Game two was a back-and-forth battle that ultimately slipped away from the Nighthawks late, as Central Washington used a seventh-inning push to secure the 9-8 victory. 

Northwest Nazarene came out aggressive, plating three runs in the first inning behind RBI hits from Kaleb Karpstein and Coleman Parry, along with a sacrifice bunt from Adrian Arechiga. 

After Central Washington surged ahead with a five-run third inning, the Nighthawks chipped away. Arechiga scored on a wild pitch in the fourth, and NNU regained momentum in the sixth when Parker Sobiesiak delivered an RBI single and Karpstein brought home another run on an error to tie the game. 

The teams continued to trade blows, with NNU tying things again in the seventh on a heads-up play that brought home Liam Herrera. However, the Wildcats answered in the bottom half with an RBI single that proved to be the difference. 

Carter Walsh led the Nighthawks offensively, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Becker added two hits and an RBI. Karpstein drove in two runs, and Parry chipped in an RBI and a walk. Hawk Hill provided a key outing out of the bullpen with 2.1 scoreless innings, keeping the Nighthawks within striking distance late into the game. 

The Nighthawks move to 23-11 on the season and 13-3 in GNAC conference play so far this year. The Baseball team will head out to Monmouth Oregon next weekend as they will face off against the Wolves for the second series this year, with hopes to sweep them once again. 

Nighthawks of the Day 

Liam Herrera: 6-8, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs, 2 2B, HBP 

Kyle Becker: 6-8, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 2B 

Carter Walsh: 5-9, 3 Runs, 2B, SB