EUGENE, Ore. – The University of Providence won Saturday's opener to claim the CCC series victory, but NCU closed the day with a run-rule victory as sophomore
Sabrina Guerra threw a complete-game shutout.
GAME ONE: Providence 4, Northwest Christian 3
The Argonauts took the rubber-match in the three-game Cascade Conference series, all on the back of a four-run fifth inning. NCU had gone ahead 2-0 in the fourth only to see the lead quickly disappear.
Hannah Van Domelen (2-3) went the distance for UP, allowing three earned runs on nine NCU hits. The Argos collected five hits, including two from Hanna Tarum including an RBI double in the fifth.
Avery Daniels led the Beacons, hitting 3-for-3 while
Maya Jenkins and Jess Garner had two hits apiece in the loss.
Emma Jegtvig (3-6) took the loss despite allowing just one run in four innings of work, leaving in the fifth inning without surrendering an out.
Sabrina Guerra began her day with three innings of shutout relief, striking out four batters and allowing just two hits.
GAME TWO: Northwest Christian 8, Providence 0 (6 innings)
Guerra (1-2) threw a gem in the non-conference night cap, striking out eight batters in her first career complete-game shutout. She scattered six hits and did not walk a batter. In addition, the sophomore went 3-for-3 at the dish, scored two runs and had a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to seal the run-rule.
The Beacons ran all over the Argos, collecting seven strikeouts to set an NAIA-era team record. The Beacons collected nine hits in the game with
Anna Cardwell going 2-for-3.
Tra Kucera had a great game, batting 1-for-3 with a run scored, a stolen base and two runs batted in.
Van Domelen went 2-for-3 for Providence with a pair of doubles. She reached third-base twice but was never able to come home. JK Schweikert (0-2) took the loss, allowing three earned runs in 3.1 innings while striking out five batters.
The Beacons (4-13, 1-5 CCC) will be back in action next weekend, beginning spring break with a four-game trip to Ashland, Oregon to take on No. 3 Southern Oregon University.
Providence (3-8, 3-6) is set to play their home opener on Friday as they welcome No. 14 Corban to Great Falls.