WEST COVINA, Calif.  – The NCU softball team may have gone 1-5 in their second annual trek to the NAIA SoCal Classic, but the trip was capped off with a huge victory as the Beacons pounded out a school-record 18 hits in a 14-10 victory over William Jessup University on Saturday evening.
 
The Beacons hit four home runs in the game, the first time they have done so in nearly two years. This included two for sophomore Alyssa Gayle, her second and third of the weekend as she hit 7-for-19 with four extra-base hits. Gayle also picked up the victory in NCU's first win of the season, throwing a complete game against the Warriors.
 
GAME ONE: Vanguard 8, Northwest Christian 1
 
The Beacons collected eight hits and took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Gayle hit a solo homer. Caitlyn Messman led NCU with two hits including a double.
 
GAME TWO: Hope International 3, Northwest Christian 1
 
It was a close game all the way with NCU nearly mounting a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Gayle again provided the only RBI of the game for the Beacons, bringing home Tra Kucera who reached on a double. Sophomore Emma Jegtvig threw a complete game and allowed just three hits while striking out five HIU batters.
 
GAME THREE: Ottawa 10, Northwest Christian 2 (6 Innings)
 
The Beacons collected 13 hits in the game including two apiece for Messman, Kyla Wagner, Ciera Farias, and Madison Jones. Sabrina Guerra collected three strikeouts in two innings of relief work.
 
GAME FOUR: San Diego Christian 11, Northwest Christian 3 (6 Innings)
 
NCU got RBI doubles from Gayle and Alexis Westbrooks, along with three strikeouts in three innings from Sabrina Guerra. Wagner and Westbrooks each had two hits while Jessica Garner posted two stolen bases.
 
GAME FIVE: Menlo 7, Northwest Christian 0
 
The Beacons were shutout for the first time this season as two Menlo pitchers combined to allow just three hits. Gayle, Garner and Avery Daniels each had singles while Jegtvig struck out four batters in a complete-game effort.
 
GAME SIX: Northwest Christian 14, William Jessup 10
 
The Beacons broke through in a big way against the Warriors with a school-record 18 hits. The previous record of 16 had been accomplished multiple times, the last coming in 2016. NCU also missed out on a scoring record by just one run and had the highest run total since the record of 15 was set 11 years ago against Corban University on April 27, 2007.
 
Daniels led the way for the Beacons with four hits, including a home run. Gayle collected four RBI and three hits (including the pair of dingers) and Wagner also posted three hits. Ereanna Higbee went 1-for-3 but it was a big one as she posted a three-run homer. Gayle also collected four strikeouts including two in the bottom of the seventh to put the game away.
 
 
NCU will return to Oregon but stay on the road next weekend, traveling to face old CCC foe Concordia-Portland next Saturday at 12:00 pm.