The Nighthawks took the first game of the four-game series last night. Today, they are playing a doubleheader. Game one RECAP
Game 1: #19 Northwest Nazarene 10, #12 Colorado Mesa 8
The 19th-ranked Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks used a big inning to take control and defeat the 12th-ranked Colorado Mesa Mavericks 10-8 on Friday.
NNU struck early, plating two runs in the third inning on a throwing error. But CMU responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half to tie it up 2-2.
The Nighthawks then blew it open in the fourth, sending 9 batters to the plate and scoring four runs on three hits and two errors to take a 6-2 lead. Second basemen Kailer Saunders and catcher Drew Deal had RBI singles in the frame.
Colorado Mesa cut into the deficit with two more runs in the fifth to make it 6-4. But NNU answered right back with four runs in the sixth, highlighted by a three-run homer from left fielder Casey Wayne, pushing the lead to 10-6.
The Mavericks mounted a rally in the later innings, getting single tallies in the sixth and seventh, but could not complete the comeback. Second baseman Ethan Ezor went 2-for-4 with two runs scored to lead CMU.
NNU’s offense was paced by Deal and Wayne. Deal finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored, while Wayne’s homer and four RBIs led the team.
On the mound, Jonathan Zayas struggled early for NNU, allowing four runs in two innings before giving way to Cole Calnon. Calnon settled in and delivered seven strong innings, needing just 77 pitches and surrendering just four runs to earn the win and improve to 2-0 on the season.
Game 2: #12 Colorado Mesa 2, #19 Northwest Nazarene 1 (7)
The 19th-ranked Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks battled the 12th-ranked Colorado Mesa Mavericks in a tight pitching duel on Friday, with the Mavericks prevailing 2-1.
CMU struck first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI single from Ethan Nunez. However, NNU responded with an unearned run in the top of the second when Cole Calnon walked, stole second base, and came around to score on a throwing error.
Starting pitchers Kyle Ethridge of NNU and Cole Seward of CMU both delivered strong performances. Ethridge allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out four over 6.2 innings. Meanwhile, Seward gave up one run on five hits with five strikeouts over seven innings to earn the win.
The game was tied 1-1 until the bottom of the seventh when the Mavericks walked it off. Declan Wiesner led off with a double and came around to score the eventual winning run on a RBI single by Ethan Ezor.
The Nighthawks managed five hits in the loss as Adam Paganelli, Cole Calnon, Quentin Ayers, Duke Pahukoa, and Kaleb Karpstein each contributed one hit apiece.
The final game of the series takes place tomorro.
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