NAMPA, Idaho - Saints Softball combined for 25 runs in the doubleheader split with Northwest Nazarene as Saint Martin's claimed three victories total in the four game series.

Game One

The Saints (19-13, 11-7 GNAC) wasted no time to start the scoring, plating seven runs in the first inning. A RBI double from Sabrina Hicks and RBI triple from Alyssa Slate along with RBI singles from Lindsay Miller, Kim Nelson and Corrie Wilson highlighted the inning.

However, the Crusaders (20-22, 10-10) responded quickly with a run in the bottom of the first before striking back with a five run second inning, cutting the Saints' lead to 7-6.

NNU completed the comeback with two runs in the fourth inning to take their lead of the game at 8-7.

The next half inning, the Saints tied the game at 8-8 on a RBI groundout from Slate, scoring Emily Baca.

The Saints broke open the lead with their second seven run inning of the game in the sixth, highlighted by three RBIs from Mary Dettling, coming on a double and single.

The Crusaders added one run in the sixth before the Saints wrapped up the 16-9 victory with a run in the seventh inning on a RBI single from Tessani Dixon.

The 16 runs for the Saints was their most of the season and the most since they posted 17 against University of British Columbia in February of 2016.

Kim Nelson (10-6) reached double-figures in wins after throwing 4.1 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits and striking out three. Lindsay Miller was called in to close out the final 2.2 innings, in which she gave up two runs on three hits, but managed to secure the victory.

Game Two

Just like the first game, Saint Martin's jumped out to an early lead, scoring two run on Wilson's single to center and a run on Nelson's single to left field. 

NNU answered back swiftly, with a four run first inning, all coming on RBI singles to the outfield.

The Saints responded the next half inning after Jackie Schmaeling brought home Dettling and Lauren Diuco and later scored on a throwing error to reclaim the lead at 6-4.

Northwest Nazarene cut the score to 6-5 with a run in the bottom of the second on a bases-loaded walk.

The Saints' seventh and final run of the game came in the form of a WIlson double to left center, scoring Schmaeling in the fourth inning.

Northwest Nazarene rallied, down by three runs with two run in the fourth on RBI singles before clinching the 9-7 win with a single in the fifth that brought home the go-ahead runs.

Lauren Maley got the start for the Saints going only two-thirds of an inning before being pulled for Lindsay Miller who pitched one inning in relief. Kim Nelson was brought back to throw four inning before Tessani Dixon (0-1) picked up the loss after allowing two runs on four hits in one-third of an inning of work.

"It was a disappointing end to an otherwise great series of games," said head coach Rick Noren. "We hit the ball well, but didn't pitch, play defense or run the bases well enough. Dettling, Wilson and Schmaeling all had big offensive days. In order to compete we are going to need to improve our pitching performances."

Up Next:The Saints return home for a doubleheader between the top two teams in the GNAC with Central Washington on April 22 at 1 p.m.