Thursday, May 27, 2021

NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene bullpen will be well-rested on Friday thanks to a complete-game gem by senior Sasha Jabusch.

Jabusch led the No. 2-seeded Nighthawks to a 3-2 win over top-seeded Azusa Pacific in game two of the NCAA Division II West Regional on Thursday at Vail Baseball Field in Nampa, Idaho. The lefty allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking none and striking out 10 to improve to 3-2 on the season.

Jabusch retired 16 of Azusa Pacific’s last 17 batters, including 10 straight to end the game and snap the Cougars’ 10-game winning streak. His nine innings of work shattered his previous season-high of six innings, accomplished twice.

The Nighthawks got some much-needed offensive production to bounce back from their 2-1 loss to Western Oregon in the tournament’s opener.

Senior third baseman Shawn Grandmont hit a two-out single up the middle in the first inning and then came around to score on an RBI double to center by freshman right fielder Grant Kerry, who went 2 for 4 in the game. Senior designated hitter Ben Johnson followed with a double of his own to right-center to drive in Kerry from second.

The Cougars tied the game at 2-2 with solo homers by senior designated hitter Nick Estrella in the second inning and freshman shortstop Omar Lopez in the fourth.

The Nighthawks retook the lead in the fifth inning when junior catcher Cody Nisbet hit what proved to be the game-winning solo home run to left field. It was his first homer of the season.

Sophomore Brendan Dixon took the loss for Azusa Pacific after allowing three earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Freshman David Hays kept the Cougars in striking distance by allowing just one hit and striking out 12 in 4.2 innings.

Azusa Pacific will play Western Oregon at noon on Friday in what will be an elimination game for the Cougars. The rest of the tournament’s format will be decided by the result of game three. If Azusa Pacific wins, they will advance to Saturday’s championship game while Northwest Nazarene and Western Oregon will play in Friday’s elimination game at 3:30 p.m. If Western Oregon wins game three, there will be an all-GNAC matchup for the West Regional title.