PORTLAND, Ore. – After going hitless of NCU softball's opening weekend, junior Maya Jenkins bounced back in a big way on Sunday, hitting 3-for-5 with four RBI.
 
All three of her hits went for extra bases with a double and two home runs. She came across to score three times as NCU won the first game, 5-2 and dropped the second, 9-2.
 
It was a second-inning solo shot by Jenkins that got things rolling in the first contest. Starting pitcher Emma Jegtvig added an RBI sacrifice in the third before the Pioneers put one up in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The Beacons stretched their lead with a three-run sixth inning. Sabrina Guerra, Alexa Berry and Jenkins opened the inning with back-to-back-to-back doubles which were followed by a walk for Jessica Garner and an RBI since from Tra Kucera.
 
Jegtvig (2-1) picked up her second complete game of the season, striking out four batters.
 
The NCU offense never really got things going in game two. Already down 4-0 when Jenkins hit a two-run blast in the third inning, the Beacons scattered just six hits. Noel Balderston did go 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and Guerra knocked her second double of the day.
 
Guerra (0-2) started the game in the circle and gave up three earned runs in two innings of work. Shay Shropshire threw four innings in relief and allowed two earned runs as the Beacons committed three errors.
 
The Beacons are off for two weeks as they prepare for their Cascade Collegiate Conference opening series against the University of British Columbia. The Thunderbirds come to town for two games apiece on Friday and Saturday, beginning with a 1:00 pm first-pitch on Friday. The first three of the four scheduled games are CCC-counters while the fourth is a non-conference tilt.