CLACKAMAS, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University softball team continued to hit the ball, but fell short of the win column this weekend as they dropped four games in the Northwest Cup, hosted by Concordia University at Hood View Park.

Whitworth 6, Northwest Christian 5
The Beacons had a 5-3 lead going into the seventh inning but an error to lead off the inning proved costly as the Pirates scored a trio of unearned runs. Gabby Stover hit her team-leading fourth home run of the season while JoElla Smith and Amanda Reiss collected two hits apiece.

Kalyssa Koontz went the distance for the Beacons, allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits. She struck out six batters in the game and only gave up two extra-base hits.

Willamette 7, NCU 0
Northwest Christian was shut out for just the second time this season against a solid Willamette squad. The Bearcats scored early and often including a four-run fourth as they scored all of their runs in the first three innings. Jenna Royce pitched the complete game for the Beacons and struck out seven batters. NCU limited to five hits as Chelsea Hannon (pictured) went 2-for-3 with a double.

“We made some mistakes and had one really bad inning and you can't do that against a really fast team,” said Head Coach Tim Hood. “We hit the ball well but it always seemed to go right at someone in the field.”

British Columbia 11, NCU 7
In their only game against an NAIA foe on the weekend, Northwest Christian collected nine hits but couldn't hold off the Thunderbird offense. The lead changed hands five times in just seven innings with UBC pulling away with a four-run seventh inning.

Stover, Laynee Bevans, and Jazzmyne Villaruel had two hits apiece for the Beacons and Ally Mittleider had her first home run of the season in the losing effort. Royce (2-3) took the loss, allowing nine runs (five earned) on nine hits in five innings of relief work.

Coach Hood said, “We had our opportunity in this game. Our pitchers didn't throw very well but we continue to make too many mental errors and that isn't helping them out either.”

George Fox 4, NCU 2
The Bruins scored three runs in the first two innings and NCU was never able to climb back, dropping their fourth straight. Koontz (0-5) allowed all four runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out four batters.

NCU collected seven hits including two apiece from Hannon and Addy Hoskins. Bevans hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning.

For the weekend, Hannon batted .417, collecting five hits. Stover also had five hits and stretched her season-opening hitting streak to nine games before failing to reach base against George Fox. It was the best hitting streak in school history to open a season. Stover currently leads NCU with 12 hits, eight runs, and eight RBI.