ELLENSBURG, Wash. - NNU's GNAC Tournament run came to end this afternoon after they fell to Saint Martin's, 9-7.
The Nighthawks started strong with two runs in the first as back-to-back singles from
Ava Clark and
Jami Obringer put two on for
Emma Bumatay. After Obringer stole second, Bumatay walked to bring up
Keana Bell with the bases loaded. Bell delivered with a single to score Clark and Obringer to take an early 2-0 lead.
Saint Martin's responded in the second with three runs on three hits to take a one-run lead. The Nighthawks took back the lead in the next inning as
Ava Clark doubled down the left field line with two outs and
Jami Obringer reached safely on an error, scoring Clark.
Emma Bumatay singled as Obringer took third and
Keana Bell reached on another error, scoring Obringer and Bumatay.
The three-run inning gave NNU a 5-3 lead until SMU added a run with a leadoff homer in the fourth. NNU still held on to a narrow 5-4 lead but the Saints rallied for five runs on four hits, headlined by a a grand slam to put Saint Martin's up 9-5.
After giving up the lead, NNU rallied for two more runs to attempt a comeback as
Lola Crosby doubled to left center to score
Mekhia Wagner and
Paisley Noyer lined out to center to score
Lola Crosby on a sac fly.
The Nighthawks managed to get the tying run to the plate but were unable to capitalize as they were eliminated from the GNAC Tournament.
Miah Lusk pitched 4.0 innings giving up four runs on five hits and one strikeout.
Lynsey Chiala (L, 2-3) pitched 1.0 inning, giving up five runs on four hits and one strikeout.
Riley McGee finished the game for NNU with 2.0 innings only giving up three hits.
Ava Clark,
Ashley Espino, and
Lola Crosby led the team with one double apiece.
Jami Obringer finished the season with 45 stolen bases, tying the single-season GNAC record. She finished her career with 89 stolen bases which breaks the GNAC career stolen base record. NNU also broke the single-season team stolen base record with 142 this season.
NNU's season comes to a close with a 34-19 overall record and 15-9 in GNAC play.
