EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University softball team ran their winning streak to four games on Friday, sweeping a double-header from The College of Idaho, 3-0 and 3-2.
Sophomore Brooke Davis (8-13) carried the load in game one, extending a scoreless innings streak to 17 with a complete-game shutout, striking out six batters in seven innings while allowing just four hits. Davis also batted 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI as she hit a double and her sixth home run of the season.
Jody Zillner (9-5) took the loss for the Yotes, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three batters in the complete game effort. CI had just four hits, but two went for extra bases as Brittany Wenzel and Kalie Kurdy each had doubles.
College of Idaho got on the board first in the second game, tagging reliever Jenna Royce with back-to-back doubles to lead off the fourth inning, taking a 1-0 lead. NCU quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth when freshmen Becca Lillegard and Kristen DeHaven hit consecutive RBI singles to give the Beacons the lead.
Later, in the bottom of the sixth, Cassie Bishop hit a towering home run to left field, her tenth bomb of the season and 22nd of her career. It was a milestone at-bat for the junior as she became NCU’s career leader for extra-base hits and broke single-season records for extra-base hits and total bases, all with one swing of the bat.
NCU hung on for the win, despite allowing an unearned run in the seventh inning. Royce (4-2) grabbed the win after allowing just four hits over five innings while striking out four batters. DeHaven had two of the Beacons five hits.
Northwest Christian (17-23, 7-11) moves to within a half game of jumping over College of Idaho (12-19, 8-11) and into fifth place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. The top three teams in the CCC advance to the post-season and the Beacons are now three games behind Corban for third-place.
The Beacons will be back in action tomorrow as they play host to Eastern Oregon University at 11:00 am