Wolves Claim Two From Concordia

Western Oregon wins 5-1 and 1-0 versus the Cavaliers.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

MONMOUTH - Western Oregon pitching held Concordia to just eight hits and one run on the day, and Krysta Pennington and Shannon Prochaska gave the Wolves just enough offense to claim a doubleheader sweep over the Cavaliers (5-1, 1-0) on Wednesday afternoon at the WOU Softball Field

The Wolves, who have now won nine of their last 11 games, improved to 9-9 on the season with the non-conference wins. Concordia fell to 4-3.

In the nightcap, pinch-hitter Prochaska drilled a single down the leftfield line to score pinch-runner Jessica Merriman with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Up to the final inning, the Wolves had only three hits off of Cavaliers pitcher Danielle Pulrey, but Pennington led off the inning with a single and courtesy runner Merriman moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Melissa Wilson then singled to move Merriman to third, leading to Prochaska’s game-winner.

Christina Cooke got the shutout for the Wolves in the pitcher’s circle, allowing only four hits, while walking three and striking out seven. Pulrey gave up five total hits, walked one and fanned four.

In the first game, catcher Pennington’s two-run double helped break open a tight game in the fifth inning, giving the Wolves a 5-0 edge.

Meanwhile, WOU pitcher Brianne Dieringer cruised, allowing only one unearned run in the sixth. She gave up just four hits, walked two, and struck out six.

Shanley Young had two hits and scored twice for the Wolves in the opener. Losing pitcher Annele Huckins struck out seven batters, gave up just six hits and allowed four earned runs.

Western Oregon will head south to Northern California for the weekend, playing No. 7 nationally ranked Humboldt State and Sonoma State twice each on Saturday and Sunday in Arcata

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