doubleheader sweep over Western Oregon University Thursday at WOU Softball Field.

 

The Vikings scored 23 runs in the doubleheader to improve to 9-4 overall while extending the winning streak to eight consecutive games.

 

With the GNAC Winter Warmup canceled earlier this week, WWU made a late shift to add four non-conference games in Monmouth beginning with Thursday's doubleheader. The Vikings defeated the Wolves 10-4 in the opening game and earned the sweep with a 13-1 victory in the nightcap in a run-rule-shortened five innings.

 

In addition to the 23 runs scored, WWU's offense pounded out 19 hits, drew 10 walks and was 4-for-4 stealing bases.

 

Sophomore third baseman Maleah Andrews went 4-for-7 with three RBI, junior first baseman Olivia Matlock was 3-for-6 with a grand slam and five RBI, and six players had at least two hits in the doubleheader. 

 

The Vikings pitching staff combined to allow nine hits in 12.0 innings, with five pitchers seeing action in the two games. Sophomore Kaiana Kong saw the most action with 5.0 relief innings allowing one run and striking out three.

 

WWU is back in action Friday at WOU Softball Field playing the Wolves at 10 am and Simon Fraser University at noon to complete the four-game trip to Monmouth.

 

Thursday's games were officially added to the schedule Tuesday evening when the GNAC Winter Warmup scheduled for Richland, Washington was canceled due to weather and field conditions…WWU left for Oregon late Wednesday afternoon…Kanilehua Pitoy started the second game at catcher, her first appearance behind the plate since her freshman season in 2022 (third career start at catcher)…senior catcher Emma Andrewjeski-Ramirez did not travel with the team to Oregon due to sickness.

 

 

The Vikings took control of the opening game early jumping out to a 9-0 lead, with a seven-run second inning providing the big blow. 

 

The first three runs scored via error, bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Hailey Rath. Junior first baseman Olivia Matlock cleared the bases greeting relief pitcher Kennedy Abbas with a grand slam to left-center field.

 

Two more runs crossed the plate in the top of the 3rd inning on WOU errors.

 

The Wolves cut into the big deficit with back-to-back 2-run singles by Isabelle Lewis and Kate Ronning off WWU freshman reliever Gracie Huston.

 

WWU got a run back in the top of the 5th inning on a run-scoring single by Maleah Andrews.

 

Sophomore Kaiana Kong delivered 4.0 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win improving to 2-0 on the season.

 

Seven different Vikings accounted for the seven hits, with Matlock finishing with four RBI on the grand slam. Right fielder McKenna Crum scored three runs and had a stolen base and center fielder Laila Carpenter was 1-for-3 with a triple, walk and two runs scored. 

 

 

 

The Vikings sent 14 batters to the plate in the 10-run 1st inning and never looked back defeating WOU 13-1 in a run-rule shortened 5-inning game in the nightcap to secure the doubleheader sweep.

 

Third baseman Maleah Andrews went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead the 12-hit attack. Shortstop Hailey Rath added her team-leading sixth multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with her fifth double of the season. First baseman Olivia Matlock completed a great day at the plate going 2-for-2 with a walk.

 

Starting pitcher Alli Kimball struck out three in 2.0 perfect innings in the start, but did not factor into the decision due to scoring rules having to go at least 3.0 innings in the 5.0-inning game. Gracie Huston, Alexis Slater and Kaiana Kong completed the victory each working an inning with Huston recording her first career victory.

 

WOU second baseman Kate Ronning spoiled the shutout bid with a solo home run in the bottom of the 5th inning.

 

 

The Vikings (9-4) are back in action in Monmouth Friday with a pair of non-conference games against GNAC opponents. WWU wraps up its three-game series vs. Western Oregon with a 10 am game and then plays Simon Fraser in the game to follow at noon. Links to follow the live stats for both games are available at wwuvikings.com/Live. The complete 2025 schedule can be viewed online at wwuvikings.com/Team33.

 

Here is a look at the Vikings record breakdown for the 2025 season:

 

 

WWU has won its last eight games to rank as the 10th-longest in program history. The Vikings set the club record twice last season with winning streaks of 13 games (in February) and 17 games (in March/April). Here is a look at the longest winning streaks in the 33 years of WWU Softball:

 

 

The WWU softball program begins its 33rd season in 2025 while coming off a historic 52-12 season in 2024. The Vikings claimed their third GNAC title by winning the 2024 postseason tournament at Viking Field and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the sixth time in program history. Playing on its home field in the NCAA postseason for the first time, WWU won its first West Regional title defeating Cal State San Marcos in the sub-regional and Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Super Regional. The historic season ended playing in the national championship series as part of the NCAA Division II Spring Sports Festival in Longwood, Florida. WWU has posted a winning record 21 times during the 32-year history of the program, which won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title.