ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Western Washington University softball team split its Tuesday non-conference doubleheader against Sonoma State University at Seawolf Softball Field.

The No. 12 nationally ranked Vikings took the opener 3-1 behind a pitching gem by starter Alli Kimball and dropped the nightcap 4-0. WWU is 19-8 overall heading into Wednesday's game at Dominican continuing the program's Bay Area road trip during spring break.

The loss in the second game snapped a six-game winning streak for the Vikings. Sonoma State improved to 19-18 with the doubleheader split.

Sophomore center fielder Laila Carpenter led the Vikings at the plate going 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles and made a diving catch in the bottom of the 6th inning of the first game to preserve the lead in the 3-1 victory. Sophomore third baseman Maleah Andrews recorded a hit in each game to extend her hitting streak to 11 consecutive games and her streak of reaching base safely to 24 consecutive games (tied for 4th-longest in program history).

Kimball improved to 8-2 on the season while recording her 32nd career pitching victory to move into the top 10 in program history. Sophomore closer Kaiana Kong notched her second save of the season in the opening game and combined for 2.2 scoreless innings in the doubleheader.

The Vikings won the opener over the Seawolves 3-1, riding a solid starting pitching performance from sophomore Alli Kimball and a 1-2-3 7th inning by closer Kiana Kong.

WWU got off to a quick start with a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Laila Carpenter drilled a one-out double down the left field line and score the first run on a fielding error by SSU off the bat of McKenna Crum. The Vikings made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Lexi Barcomb. 

The Vikings extended the lead to 3-0 in the top of the 6th inning on a run-scoring triple to right-center field by Crum.

SSU chipped into the three-run deficit with a run in the bottom of the 6th inning and looked to tie the game on a line drive by first baseman Iris Bejarano that Carpenter made a diving catch in center field to save two runs and end the inning.

Kimball scattered four hits and allowed one run in 6.0 innings to improve to 8-2 on the season and Kong worked a perfect 7th inning for her second save of the season and 13th of her career.

Seven Vikings combined for the seven hits.

Sonoma State scored a pair of runs each in the 4th and 5th innings to build a 4-0 lead and kept the Vikings off the scoreboard to record the shutout victory.

WWU out-hit SSU 7-4, but the Vikings left five runners on base while not scoring a run in a game for the third time this season.

Senior starting pitcher Joie Baker (7-6) took the loss allowing three hits and four runs (2 ER) in 4.1 innings. Sophomore relief pitcher Kaiana Kong faced one over the minimum in 1.2 innings to close out the game.

Sophomore center fielder Laila Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Vikings at the plate.

The Vikings (19-8, 6-2 GNAC) continue their spring break road trip in the Bay Area with one game Wednesday vs. Dominican at Penguin Field in San Rafael, California, with first pitch scheduled for noon. WWU also plays Menlo in a single game Thursday and Cal State Monterey Bay in a doubleheader Friday. Links to follow the live stats and webcast 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: