ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Western Washington University softball team split its doubleheader Saturday vs. in-state rival Central Washington University.

 

The Vikings (4-2) and Wildcats (3-1) played a pair of one-run games, with CWU winning 5-4 in the opening game and WWU rebounding with a 6-5 victory in the nightcap. The two teams will play another doubleheader Sunday at Frederick Field with first pitch scheduled for 11 am. All four games during the series in Ellensburg will not count towards the Great Northwest Athletic Conference 2021 standings. 

 

Western out-hit Central 19-12 in the doubleheader, but each team scored 10 runs in the split.

 

Junior Rylie Wales combined to go 3-for-6 with a double and drove in two runs in the doubleheader, with junior Lauren Lo (3-for-6, R, RBI), sophomore Tori McDowell (3-for-6, 2 R) and junior Chantelle Shimabukuro (3-for-8, R, RBI) also performing well at the plate.

 

Junior starting pitcher Kira Doan earned the win in the nightcap needing just 98 pitches (60 strikes) to pick up her second win of the season. Senior starter Anna Kasner suffered her first loss of the season in the opening game, allowing five runs (3 ER) in 5.2 innings. She moved into 8^th place in GNAC history with six strikeouts, giving her 425 in her career.

 

 

The Vikings let a late lead slip away in the first game of the doubleheader, surrendering three runs in the bottom of the 6^th inning in a 5-4 loss to the Wildcats.

 

WWU out-hit CWU 10-4, but stranded 10 runners on base, including leaving the bases loaded to end the game. The Vikings were also 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position and 7-for-20 with runners on base.

 

The Vikings carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 6^th inning after scoring three runs in the 5^th and 6^th innings. Junior Rylie Wales plated a run with a double down the left field line to tie the game and second baseman Chantelle Shimabukuro drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single. 

 

WWU had built an early 1-0 lead with a two-out, solo home run by junior first baseman Dakota Brooks in the top of the 1^st inning.

 

CWU catcher Alyssa Benthagen hit a 2-run HR with one out in the bottom of the 4th inning, and the Wildcats rallied for their three runs following an error, fielder's choice and a hit-by-pitch.

 

WWU starter Anna Kasner was saddled with her first loss of the season allowing five runs (3 ER) in 5.2 innings, while striking out six batters and allowing four walks.

 

CWU relief pitcher Isabel Womack worked around 4 hits and 4 walks to allow one unearned run in 3.0 frames to earn her first win of the season.

 

WWU received multi-hit games from center fielder Lauren Lo (2-for-3, BB), right fielder Mackenzie Palmer (2-for-3, R) and left fielder Tori McDowell (2-for-4, R). 

 

 

 

The Vikings scored in each of the first five innings and were backed by a solid pitching performance from junior Kira Doan to win the nightcap 6-5 to secure the doubleheader split.

 

Doan (2-1) scattered eight hits in the complete-game effort, needing only 98 pitches to pick up her second win of the season. The junior right-hander allowed five runs (4 ER), while walking and striking out a pair of Wildcats.

 

WWU's offense was led by multi-hit performances by leadoff hitter Chantelle Shimabukuro (2-for-4, R) and designated player Rylie Wales (2-for-3, RBI). Junior shortstop Tatum Dow was 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.

 

CWU relief pitcher Rhaney Harris took the loss allowing two runs (1 ER) in 2.0 innings. Second baseman Harlee Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

 

 

The Vikings complete the four-game series vs. the Wildcats on Sunday with another doubleheader with first pitch scheduled for 11 am. The four-game set vs. CWU will not count towards the 2021 GNAC standings. Fans can follow the action online with a direct link available for your computers and devices at WWUVikings.com/SB_Watch.

 

All home games hosted by WWU will feature a live webcast with sports information student assistant Ben Bagley calling the action live from Viking Field. The games will stream exclusively via VikingsTV on YouTube. Check WWUVikings.com/Live for links for webcast and live stats for all away games.

 

Senior Anna Kasner recorded six strikeouts in the first game, moving her career total to 425 to climb into 8^th place in GNAC history. She is also 3^rd in WWU history, now 8 strikeouts short of the No. 2 spot. Here is a look at where Kasner ranks in both WWU and GNAC history for strikeouts:

 

 

Up-to-date season information, including season statistics, bios, roster, schedule and historical information can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/Softball. WWU Softball also has a strong social media presence on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, so give them a follow!

 

The WWU softball program enters its 29^th season in 2021, with the Vikings posting a winning record 17 times. WWU won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title and has made four trips to the NCAA Division II Regional Championships, last in 2017. Over the last six seasons (since 2014), the Vikings are 172-134 and won the 2017 GNAC Tournament to advance to the NCAA II West Regional in Monterey, California. Head coach Sheryl Gilmore is in her third season at the helm of the program in 2020 after leading WWU to 27 wins, tied for the 10^th-most in program history, in her first campaign in 2019.