FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University softball team dropped a pair of games on Wednesday evening, falling to Pacific University, 9-3 and 2-1. After giving up 13 hits in the opener, NCU pitching settled down to allow just four in the night cap.

The Boxers (3-3) wasted no time in game-one, jumping out to a 5-0 lead through the first three innings. NCU got on the board with two runs in the top of the fourth on back-to-back hits from Parker Bonife and Addy Hoskins. After Pacific added a run in the bottom of the inning, NCU responded with one more in the sixth, when Laynee Bevans came home on an RBI single from Gabby Stover. The Boxers put up three more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to walk away with the 9-3 victory.

Stover finished the game batting 3-for-3 for the Beacons including a double. Sarah Lawhorn (2-2) went the distance in the circle, allowing five earned runs while striking out one batter.

Jordan Bennett (pictured, 0-4) pitched the second game and helped stem the tide of big innings as the Boxers scored just two runs on four hits. She also struck out a season-high five batters. Pacific picked up their pair of runs in the third inning and the Beacons got one of them back quickly in the fourth when Randi Kostner scored on double by Bennett.

NCU (2-6) had just two hits in the game, both doubles. After the game head coach Julie Strand said, “Right now we need to improve what we are doing pre-pitch. We are being caught on our heels a little too much and its putting us a step behind. Pacific was getting bunts down today and stealing on us because we weren't thinking hard enough about the situation.”

“We showed in the second game that when we concentrate, things get better,” said Strand. “Jordan did a much better job tonight. We are working with her to eliminate the walks and get ahead in the count. We were able to get a lot of lead outs and coupled with a strong day at the plate and that really helps Jordan to thrive.”

The Beacons will be back on the field on March 1, traveling to a scrimmage tournament at Clackamas Community College. NCU's next counting games will be on March 8th as they begin Cascade Collegiate Conference action on the road against Concordia University.