BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The No. 11 Western Washington University softball team split its home doubleheader Friday vs. Montana State Billings at Viking Field.

WWU opened the four-game GNAC series with a 5-1 victory to extend the conference winning streak to 10 consecutive games, but were dealt a 2-0 loss in the nightcap.

Through the first 37 games of the season the Vikings are 27-10 overall and in 1st place in the GNAC with an 11-3 record in conference games.

Western's pitching combined to allow just three runs in the doubleheader, with sophomore Alli Kimball earning the win in the opening game allowing one run in 5.0 innings. Sophomore Kaiana Kong appeared in both games in relief combining to limit MSUB to three hits in 6.0 scoreless innings. Kong struck out eight batters between the two teams.

Sophomore center fielder Laila Carpenter and sophomore third baseman Maleah Andrews each went 3-for-6 at the plate to lead the Vikings offense.

The Vikings and Yellowjackets complete the four-game conference series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for noon at Viking Field.

The Vikings opened Friday's doubleheader with a 5-1 victory extending its winning streak in GNAC contests to 10 consecutive games.

WWU opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Hailey Rath singled down the left field line to plate the opening run and Olivia Matlock followed with a sacrifice fly to score the second run of the inning.

MSUB got a run back in the top of the 2nd inning but Western extended the lead to 3-1 on an RBI single by Kanilehua Pitoy and added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the 4th inning on a Pitoy sacrifice fly and Rath single up the middle.

WWU's pitching again paved the way for their sixth consecutive win overall with starter Alli Kimball (11-3) earning the win allowing one run in 5.0 innings (5 H, 3 SO, 0 BB) and relief pitcher Kaiana Kong closing out the victory with 2.0 scoreless innings (3 SO).

Third baseman Maleah Andrews continued her torrid hitting going 3-for-4 to raise her season batting average to .526. Pitoy went 2-for-3 with two RBI, Rath was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and center fielder Laila Carpenter was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Montana State Billings starting pitcher Emily Watters threw a complete-game shutout against the Vikings, limiting WWU to three hits to lead the Yellowjackets to a 2-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Vikings allowed single runs in the 1st and 3rd innings, both off senior starter Joie Baker, and were held off the scoreboard for the fourth time this season in the 2-0 loss.

Western's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the 5th inning putting runners on 1st and 3rd base, but MSUB got out of the jam when Kanilehua Pitoy lined out to right field to end the inning.

Baker (10-7) was saddled with the loss allowing five hits and two runs in 3.0 innings, battling control issues with four walks. Kaiana Kong came on in relief recording 4.0 scoreless innings to keep the Vikings close.

The Vikings (27-10, 11-3 GNAC) close out the four-game GNAC series vs. Montana State Billings Saturday with first pitch of the doubleheader scheduled for a noon first pitch. Links to follow the live stats and webcast 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:

Here is a look at the updated GNAC standings through Friday's games with the Vikings remaining in 1st place in the table with a 11-3 conference record. The top four teams in the conference standings at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for the GNAC Championships held May 1-3 in Nampa, Idaho. All updated stats, standings and schedule from the conference are available online at GNACSports.com.