REDDING, Calif.  – The Northwest Christian University softball team cracked the seal on the 2012 season on Friday, taking a 1-2 record away from the first day of the Simpson University Invitational at the Big League Dreams complex in Redding. NCU fell to Menlo College and Biola University before knocking off Patten College in the night cap.

Menlo 6, NCU 5
The season started out on a shaky note for the Beacons. NCU allowed five unearned runs in the first inning to the Oaks and never fully recovered. Gabby Stover (pictured) and Chelsea Hannon each hit homers for NCU in the loss. For Hannon it was her first career bomb.

Kalyssa Koontz (0-1) was the hard-luck loser in the opener, allowing six unearned runs over five innings of work. Jenna Royce came in and allowed just one hit over the final two innings in relief.

Biola 4, NCU 3
Northwest Christian took the early lead against the Eagles on a wild pitch and a sacrifice squeeze by Megan Mazanec. It was the 19th sacrifice hit of Mazanec's career, tying the senior for first place on NCU's all-time list.

Addy Hoskins, Amanda Reiss, and JoElla Smith each had two hits in the game for the Beacons. Royce started in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits over four innings while striking out four batters. Koontz allowed one unearned run over the final three frames.

NCU 5, Patten 3
The Beacons snagged their first win of the season, coming back from an early 3-0 deficit to score five unanswered runs. Stover hit her second home run of the day, a lead-off shot in the third while eight players each picked up a hit for Northwest Christian.

Mazanec posted her record-breaking 20th sacrifice hit in the first inning and added her first ever sacrifice fly in the third, scoring Hoskins.

Royce grabbed the win in relief, allowing just one hit over the final three innings of work while striking out five batters.

Overall, Stover had the most productive day at the plate, getting a hit in each game while collecting three runs and three RBI. Royce went 1-1, allowing three runs in nine innings of work.