Pacific Spoils Eagles Season Opener
FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Pacific University swept Northwest University 12-1 and 6-5 in the season opener for both teams this afternoon in non-conference play.
In the first game, Pacific used an 8 run third inning as Boxer pitcher Sara Aasness threw a 2-hitter. Northwest got their lone run in the top of the 5th inning as Alyssa Gonzalez scored on a fielder’s choice after getting on base with a bunt single.
Kelli Peckham went the distance for Northwest U taking the loss.
Game 2 – Northwest U shook off the first game loss and would take a 5-3 lead after scoring 2 runs in the first and 3 in the top of the third. The Eagles would start the 3rd with four straight singles scoring Hanna Chaffin who led off with a single. Katelyn Riedinger would score on a fielder’s choice and Katelin Lewis would score as the Pacific catcher would attempt to throw out Sarah Payne stealing second.
Pacific would chip away at the Northwest lead scoring once in the 3rd and 4th innings. They would tie the game and take the lead for good in the bottom of the 5th inning as Megan Winans would lead off with a double to center. Kylee Oshiro would single to center scoring Winans. Quirena Natividad would come through with a big triple to center and would score the game winner after teammate’s Ashley Mitchell’s single which would get through the left side of the infield.
Northwest would threaten in the top of the 7th as Hanna Chaffin would walk and Katelyn Lewis would single to center field, but the Eagles would not be able to bring them home as Sarah Payne would strike out ending the rally and the game.
Kiersten Perry would lead Northwest U (0-2) going 2 for 3 and batting in 3 runs for the Eagles. Katelin Lewis went 2-3 and Hanna Chaffin 2-2 for NU. Perry (0-1) took the loss on the mound for the Eagles as she gave up 11 hits and 6 runs for the day.
Pacific (2-0) was led by Kylee Oshiro’s 2 for 2, 1 RBI game. Quirena Natividad went 2 for 3 and Kiera Melton batted 2 for 2 and had a RBI for the Boxers. Allie Sims (1-0) got the win for the Boxers giving up 5 hits and 5 earned runs for the day.
“We faced a good string hitting team in Pacific today and we struggled a bit in the first game,” said John Bacon, NU head coach. “However, in the second game, the team showed their strength of character and put up a hard fight. I’m excited to see what we can do once we have some games under our belt.”
NU will travel to California next weekend and will play six games in two days at the Simpson University Invitational Tournament on Feb. 7 and 8, in Redding.