Friday, May 13, 2022

SAN MARCOS, Calif. – A day after knocking Cal State San Marcos off-balance, Northwest Nazarene found itself unable to come up with offense as the No.8-seeded Nighthawks fell to No. 4-seeded Sonoma State, 4-0, in the NCAA Softball West Regional at the CSUSM Softball Field.

The Nighthawks produced five hits off of Seawolves’ pitcher Jesse DuPuis, but left eight runners on base and four in scoring position as NNU saw its five-game postseason win streak snapped.

With the loss, Northwest Nazarene (35-20) will face either No. 1-seeded Cal State San Marcos or No. 5-seeded Cal State Monterey Bay in an elimination game this afternoon at 3 p.m. (Pacific). Sonoma State advances to play in Saturday’s game for the chance to advance to the West Region Super Regional.

Sonoma State wasted no time pulling ahead with a pair of solo home runs. Jordyn Martinez hit her solo shot down the left-field line with one out and Lauren Mirtoni launched a solo shot to left-center field with two outs.

The Seawolves picked up two insurance runs thanks to an error in the seventh. With two on base, Martinez reached by way of error, allowing Gabby Hensley and Amari Houston to score.

Northwest Nazarene had junior Maia McNicoll in position to halve the deficit in the bottom of the first, reaching on a leadoff walk and advancing to third before being stranded. Senior Ivy Hommel singled with one out in the third and advanced to third before junior Tori Hensley fouled out to left field, quelling the threat.

After pitching a three-hit shutout on Thursday, sophomore Sidney Booth took the loss after she allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits with a walk and 11 strikeouts. DuPuis earned the win for Sonoma State, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out five.

Hensley led Northwest Nazarene offensively, going 2 for 3.