Thursday, May 11, 2023

IRVINE, Calif. – It was a pitcher’s duel to start the NCAA Division II Softball West Regional and, in the end, Northwest Nazarene broke through.

Sophomore Kellcie Adams delivered the winning single in the bottom of the ninth to give the No. 4 seeded Nighthawks a 1-0 win over No. 5 seed Cal State San Bernardino in the opening game of the regional at Golden Eagles Field.

Junior Sidney Booth drew a walk to lead off the ninth. Pinch-runner Siolo Church advanced to second on junior Abigail Gagnon’s sacrifice bunt and to third on freshman Emma Bumatay’s single. Sophomore Charlotte Forniss was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Adams delivered a single to center field to plate Church for the victory.

It was the only run of the game in an exciting duel between Booth and Cal State San Bernardino’s Samantha Vargas, who combined to allow just six hits total in the game. Booth allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out 11 to win her 19th game of the season. In taking the loss, Vargas allowed four hits and six walks while striking out five.

With the win, Northwest Nazarene (37-15) will advance to face the winner of Thursday’s second game between No. 1 seed Concordia and No. 8 seed Biola on Friday at 11 a.m.

Both pitchers were solid through the first seven innings. Booth allowed her first runner in the second inning when Alyssa Martinez singled to center field. She then proceeded to retire the next nine batters in order and allowed just two more batters to reach base through the eighth inning.

Senior Tori Hensley walked with one out in the first inning but Vargas proceeded to retire the next seven in order until freshman Jami Obringer singled in the third inning. She was wiped off the bases when she was caught stealing. Hensley singled to lead off the fifth inning. She advanced to second when senior Maia McNicoll walked and to third on Gagnon’s fielder’s choice. Vargas, however, came back to strike out junior Madison Felter to strand Hensley.

The Nighthawks led a golden opportunity to win it go unfilled in the eighth inning. Adams drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second when Obringer reached on an error. Freshman Clarissa Moreno moved Adams over with a sacrifice bunt but Vargas proceeded to coax Hensley and McNicoll into outs and another runner was left at third.

In the ninth, Cal State San Bernardino had the first chance to put the first run on the board as Tereise Tosi singled to left center with one out and advanced to second when Kaylee Williamson was hit by a pitch. Booth was unphased, retiring Martinez to end the Coyotes’ threat.