EUGENE, Ore. – Simpson University got the better of the Northwest Christian University softball team on Thursday, sweeping a double-header from the Beacons, 4-2 and 3-1. Solid pitching wasn’t enough as the NCU offense struggled to find a rhythm this afternoon.
Simpson jumped out to an early lead in the first game, manufacturing a first-inning run on a single, stolen base, sacrifice and finally scoring on a double-steal. The Red Hawks held the 1-0 lead until the fourth inning, when NCU tied the game on an RBI double by Megan Mazanec.
NCU made it 2-1 in favor of the home team in the fifth inning, when an RBI double by Gabby Stover brought home Laynee Bevans. Then, in the top of the sixth, Simpson put the game away with three runs, assisted in part to three errors in the inning from the Beacons.
Kalyssa Koontz (0-9) threw well, allowing just two earned runs while striking out two batters as she went the distance for NCU. Morgan Davis (2-2) got the win for Simpson, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings of work, striking out three. Hayley Rodriguez threw the final inning and grabbed her second save of the season.
Stover finished the game with two doubles as she batted 3-for-4. Mazanec hit 2-for-4 while Bevans, Chelsea Hannon and Dani Gehrke each picked up singles.
Another pitching duel was in store for the second half of the double-header as neither team got on the board through the first five innings. Once again, errors proved to be the Beacons’ demise as Simpson scored three unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning.
NCU was only able to muster one run, a two-out RBI double by Melissa Webster in the bottom of the seventh inning, which scored JoElla Smith and helped the Beacons to avoid the shutout.
Jenna Royce (2-6) went the distance for Northwest Christian, allowing no earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters. Rodriguez (7-8) also threw a complete game for the Red Hawks, allowing just four hits to NCU.
The Beacons will be back in action next Tuesday as they remain home for a double-header with Willamette University. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 2:00 pm.