Feb. 21, 2013
Box Score
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning and held on for a 5-3 win in its home opener over University of British Columbia in a non-conference softball game Thursday at Viking Field.
The Vikings improved to 8-6 and the Thunderbirds fell to 6-8.
Catcher Jackie Rothenberger (Sr., Coquitlam, B.C.) and shortstop Haylee Baker (Jr., Poulsbo/Bainbridge) each had run-scoring singles for WWU during its four-run explosion. Rothenberger scored on a passed ball and Cheyenne Best (So., Big Lake/Sedro-Woolley) plated the other run on a ground out.
First baseman Alexie Levin (Fr., Everett) and designated hitter Jordan Walley (Fr., Maple Valley/Tahoma) opened the inning by drawing walks. Levin was 2-for-2, her sixth multiple-hit game of the young season.
WWU scored its other run in the fourth as second baseman Kristen Allen (Sr., Arlington) drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a walk to Levin, stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
UBC got its first run off Viking starter Jenna DeRosier (Jr., Kelso) in the top of the fourth. Lindsay McElroy hit a one-out double and scored on a single by Molly Gosnell.
The Thunderbirds scored twice more in the seventh off reliever Anisa Wingsness (Fr., North Bend/Mount Si), who picked up her first victory in four decisions, as Alana Westerhof hit a two-run homer.
Baker stretched her hitting streak to seven games, and Allen and Levin have now hit in six straight.
Dypchey, McElroy and Gosnell each had two of UBC's nine hits.
WWU next opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at home with a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 6 (1 p.m.) against Montana State Billings.
