EUGENE, Ore. – Although a sweep would not be in the cards, NCU continued their James Park magic on Friday, splitting a double-header with Oregon Tech, 5-4 and 0-4. It was the first win over the Owls since 2011.
 
The win over the No. 13 ranked team in the NAIA gives the Beacons five wins this season over teams ranked in the NAIA Top-25.  
 
GAME ONE
 
The game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when Tasha Silvius broke things open with a two-out three-run home run to left field.
 
NCU got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth inning on a wild play. With runners on first and second and one out. A passed ball sent both runners in motion. The catcher's attempted throw to third sailed into left field, allowing the lead runner Keara Parrish to come home. While fielding the errant ball, the left fielder misplayed the rock to let Chelsea Roberts to come all the way home as well.
 
OIT gave themselves a cushion in the top of the sixth inning, making it 4-2 on a solo home run by Ashley Sfetku to open the inning.
 
The Beacons needed a rally in the bottom of the seventh and that is exactly what they got. Taylor Medley opened the frame with a walk and with one out, Janieve Boyles singled to right to get two runners on board. Then with two outs, Jill Suratt reached first on an error at shortstop to load the bases. Addy Hoskins was patient at the plate and earned an RBI walk to score Medley and bring the Beacons within one run, 4-3. The next batter was Ashlee Cole (pictured) who crushed a ball to the opposite field, finding a gap in right center field. Two runners came home to give the Beacons the win.
 
Suratt (2-6) picked up the win for the Beacons, allowing four runs on ten hits while striking out two batters. Rylee Carleton (5-2) scattered five hits to NCU and allowed just one earned run in 6.2 innings of work. The starter struck out five batters and walked six before Jessi Duncan came in to give up the double to Cole.
 
Tara Moates and Sfetku recorded two hits apiece for the visitors.
 
GAME TWO
 
Duncan (7-3) more than made up for surrendering the game-winning hit in the opener, throwing a complete-game one-hitter in the second game for the 4-0 victory. She was anything but sharp, allowing eight NCU walks, but all eight Beacon runners were left stranded behind strong defense and four strikeouts for the pitcher.
 
Oregon Tech managed nine hits in the game with Moates, McKenzie Schrum and Katie Virtue collecting two hits apiece. One of Schrum's contacts was a two-run home run to break the game open in the fifth inning.
 
Katie Walker (3-8) went the distance for the Beacons, allowing four earned runs with one strikeout. Cole once again came up strong for NCU, picking up the teams only hit.
 
NCU returns to action on Saturday, hosting Southern Oregon at 11 a.m.