Wednesday, May 19, 2021

IRVINE, Calif. – After splitting their regular-season ending series, Central Washington ended up with the last word against its in-state rivals.

The No. 6 seeded Wildcats used a four-run third inning and a three-run fourth to eliminate No. 4 seeded Western Washington, 9-5, to close the first day of the NCAA Softball West Regional at Eagles Field on the campus of Concordia Irvine.

Senior Theresa Moyle led the way for Wildcats, going 2 for 4 with three RBI, including a two-run homer that ignited a four-run third inning. Senior Maddy Zerr had three hits and scored two runs as the Wildcats outhit the Vikings 14 to 13.

With the win, Central Washington (18-15) advances to play on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The Wildcats’ opponent will be determined by the outcomes of games played tomorrow. Western Washington’s season ends with a 23-14 overall record.

Unlike their first game of the tournament, the Vikings made sure that they struck first. In the top of the second inning, sophomore Tori McDowell hit a one-out single and Kasner followed with a single to set the table for junior Rylie Wales, who launched her third home run on the season over the left-field wall to chase CWU starting pitcher Lexie Strasser from the game.

The Wildcats took two runs back in the bottom of the second on a two-out rally. Senior Sydney Brown and sophomore Myiah Seaton hit back-to-back singles to set up freshman Sasha Mitchell for her hard-hit two-run single to shortstop. The Vikings added back one run in the third when Brooke Fesenbek singled and scored on a two-out double by McDowell.

Central Washington broke the game open with a four-run home half of the third. Sophomore Harlee Carpenter led off with a bunt single and senior Theresa Moyle hit her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field. The Wildcats welcomed reliever Kira Doan with three straight singles, with senior Alycia Bannan singling home Zerr, and Bannan scoring on a sacrifice fly.

The Wildcats added on with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Allie Thiessen singled to lead off the frame and scored on a one-out single by Moyle. Zerr followed with a single through the left side that scored Moyle from second base.

Western Washington scored one run in the sixth inning when junior Chantelle Shimabukuro and senior Mackenzie Palmer hit back-to-back singles and Shimabukuro scored on a single by Fesenbek.