EUGENE, Ore. - A Chelsea Hannon go-ahead three-run triple in game two was a highlight in an otherwise difficult day for the NCU softball team on Saturday as they were swept in a Cascade Collegiate Conference double-header by Oregon Tech, 2-0 and 10-7. The eighth-ranked Owls collected five home runs on the day.

Game one quickly developed into a pitchers duel as NCU's Sarah Lawhorn and the Owls Taylor Schmidt kept a scoreless tie going through five innings. Oregon Tech finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning with the game's only runs when Sara Coates and Melissa Logan each crushed solo home runs to left field.

The game-winning run for Coates highlighted a 3-for-3 game at the plate. Shauna Collins also went 3-for-4 for the Owls from the leadoff spot as OIT collected ten hits in the game.

NCU had four hits, all singles, from Laynee Bevans, Randi Kostner, Gabby Stover, and Addy Hoskins. Lawhorn (5-6) took the loss, allowing two earned runs in seven innings while striking out one batter.

Schmidt grabbed the win in the compete-game shutout effort, striking out seven batters.

Oregon Tech jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second game, only to see the Beacons fight their way back. Bevans led off the bottom of the first inning with a single and after stealing second base was brought in on an RBI single by Stover.

Jess Plummer made it 5-1 in favor of the Owls in the top of the third inning with a solo homer, but NCU refused to go quietly, taking the lead in the bottom of the third. Parker Bonife got things going with a two-RBI single. Dani Gehrke followed with a single and Melissa Webster walked, loading the bases for Hannon. The junior outfielder then smacked a ball to deep right center field for the triple, clearing the bases as NCU snagged a 6-5 lead.

Unfortunately, the lead would not hold for long as Plummer put the Owls on top for good in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run double. Logan added an insurance run in the sixth with her third home run in two days, making it 8-6.

NCU continued to fight and scored another run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Stover, scoring Bevans.

A two-run blast from Alyssa Davis in the seventh gave Oregon Tech the 10-7 final advantage.

Jordan Bennett (0-9) got the start for the Beacons, allowing seven runs, five earned over four innings of work. For OIT it was Schmidt (16-2) once again picking up the victory, allowing one unearned run in four innings of relief work.

Bevans finished the game batting 3-for-3 with two runs while Stover and Gehrke each had two hits. Oregon Tech had four players pick up two hits apiece as Plummer and Davis both collected three RBI.

Northwest Christian will be back in action on Tuesday, playing host to Pacific University in a non-conference double-header. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.