NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene softball team swept Western Oregon in day two to complete a series sweep and strengthen their chances of making the GNAC Postseason Tournament.

Game One: NNU 6, WOU 4

It took a comeback effort from the home team to take the first game of the doubleheader and keep the series sweep possibility alive. Miah Lusk got the start in the circle for the Nighthawks, her third appearance in three games. Lusk gave up a leadoff baserunner as she walked Madelynne Hommel on a full count but was able to get two quick outs as Victoria Zimmerman grounded out to advance Hommel to second, and Lauren Mauer popped up to second. With two outs, Lusk was in a good position to get out of the inning without surrendering a run. She seemed to do just that as Reghann Fairbairn hit a deep fly ball just shy of the warning track but Jami Obringer slipped and was unable to secure the catch. The error allowed Hommel to score easily and the Wolves led, 1-0 early. 

WOU kept the momentum as they sat down the Nighthawks in order and immediately worked back-to-back walks. Brooklyn Schneidt and Jocelyn Rush each worked full-count walks and Hope Bodak hit a bloop single into center that scored Schneidt. After Lusk hit a batter to load the bases, Coach Rich Wagner went to the bullpen. Victoria Frias came in to pitch with bases loaded and no outs. WOU was primed to break it open but back-to-back force outs at home and a lineout allowed Frias and the Nighthawks to escape the jam, only trailing 2-0. 

The bottom of the second saw NNU enter the score column after Keana Bell worked a full-count walk of her own and Lola Crosby singled up the middle. Lauryn Bergevin singled to left field to score Bell from second and cut the Wolves' lead in half. 

Neither team was able to score again until the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Lauryn Bergevin doubled to right center field and Olivia Bailey singled up the middle score Bergevin.

Heading to the bottom of the fifth, both teams were tied at two. Ava Clark walked and Obringer singled to right. Obringer and Clark worked a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. Hailey Harris singled down the right field line with two outs to bring home both Clark and Obringer, giving NNU a 4-2 lead that they would hold on to for the win.

Miah Lusk got the start and pitched 3.0 innings giving up two runs on two hits with four strikeouts. Victoria Frias (W, 2-0) pitched 4.0 innings and only gave up three hits with two strikeouts. Hailey Harris and Lauryn Bergevin led NNU with two hits each while Bergevin tallied the only extra-base hit of the game for the Nighthawks. Jami Obringer and Annie Swanson each stole a base while Ava Clark stole two.

Game Two: NNU 6, WOU 4

Game two saw NNU get out to an early lead after back-to-back doubles from Emma Bumatay and Keana Bell. With Bumatay scoring the opening run, WOU answered back with two of their own in the second. Sydney Conklin and Brooklyn Schneidt worked back-to-back singles and Lexi Baumgartner was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hope Bodak delivered with a single to score both Conklin and Schneidt to take a 2-1 lead.

WOU's lead didn't last long as Lola Crosby led off with a single and promptly stole second. After Lauryn Bergevin hit a deep fly ball, that allowed Crosby to tag. On the slide into third, the throw hit Crosby and got away which allowed Crosby to score and tie it up. Riglee Peterson singled down the right field line and then stole second. Ava Clark then doubled to left center field to score Peterson. Obringer stepped up with Clark at second and Clark stole third. Obringer legged out an infield single as Clark crossed home to take a two-run lead.

NNU added another run in the bottom of the third after Hailey Harris singled and was pinch ran for by Molly Buckingham who stole second after a Lola Crosby fly out. Lauryn Bergevin delivered again with a single to center that scored Buckingham.

Heading to the bottom of the fourth with a 5-2 lead, Ava Clark notched her second hit and second stolen base of the game. With two outs, Emma Bumatay singled to score Clark. WOU would attempt comeback with two runs scored but would come up short.

Riley McGee pitched 2.0 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Lily Delamore (W, 1-0) pitched 2.0 innings and giving three hits and one run. Hailey Harris pitched 2.1 innings giving up one run with two strikeouts and Miah Lusk pitched 0.2 innings to close the game and only gave up one hit. NNU collected three doubles, hit by Ava Clark, Emma Bumatay, and Keana Bell. Once again, the Nighthawks were very active on the basepaths. Ava Clark and Lola Crosby each stole two bases while Jami Obringer, Molly Buckingham, and Riglee Peterson each stole one base. 

NNU is now 31-16 overall and 11-9 in GNAC play. They are currently in fourth place heading into the final series of the regular season. They will look to secure a spot in the GNAC Tournament as they will face Central Washington on May 1st and 2nd. 
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