LYNNWOOD, Wash. – In a doubleheader that featured a slugfest to open, followed by two pitchers flirting with no-hitters, Western Oregon managed to edge the Saints in both ends, 15-8 and 5-2, on opening weekend of GNAC action.
 
An earlier 13-1 deficit was too much for the Saints (1-11, 0-4) to overcome in the first game; however, the Saints attempted a comeback, scoring seven straight runs, cutting the score to 13-8 at one points. In the second game of the doubleheader, both pitchers took a no-hit bid into the fifth inning before Western Oregon (4-7, 4-0) capitalized on SMU errors and sealed the sweep with two late home runs.
 
In the first game, Western Oregon managed to score 13 runs in the first four innings, while only collecting six hits. Walks and hit-by-pitches allowed Wolves runners to get on bases, and timely hitting platted the runs for an early commanding lead.
 
The Saints scored one run in the first three innings, coming on a RBI single by Ryan Colvin, scoring Colton Peha. Saint Martin's began their comeback attempt by adding one run in fourth, a RBI single Micah McNicoll.
 
Four more runs came in the fifth inning, starting with a sacrifice fly by Jake Leonard, bringing home Steven Sordahl. Later in the inning, Austin Feist scored on a balk, while advancing two runners to scoring position. McNicoll came through with the clutch hit, driving a ball to left center, plating two more runs. The Saints comeback finished in the seventh inning when Nakagawa connected on an inside fastball, hitting his first career home run, a two run shot, and closed the gap to 13-8.
 
The Wolves sealed the 15-8 victory with two runs in the top of the ninth, ending the 7-0 run by the Saints.
 
Ryan Dorney (0-1) picked up the loss after starting the first 2.1 innings, allowing nine runs, seven earned on four hits, with two walks, three hit batsman, and two strikeouts. Benjamin Wadowski threw 1.2 innings in relief, giving up four runs on two hits with four walks, before Garrison Ritter pitched the final five innings. Ritter only allowed two runs, both in the last inning, on three hits and four strikeouts.
 
In the second game, Craig Grubbe of Western Oregon and Clark Streby of SMU, were unhittable to begin the game. Both sides dueled for four innings, neither allowing a hit until the fifth.
 
Streby's no-hitter bid was broken up in the fifth on a lead-off double to right center. A following RBI single to center field put the Wolves on the board first. Later in the inning, a throwing error by the pitcher allowed the second run to score, and finally a throwing error by the catcher allowed the final run to score. The Saints committed three throwing errors in the inning.
 
However, SMU responded quickly in the next half inning. After two quick strikeouts, Leonard snapped Grubbe's no-hitter with a single to left center, setting up Feist. Feist got ahold of a pitch and hit a mammoth shot to left center, scoring two and pulling the game to one run.
 
The Saints left the tying run in scoring position in the sixth inning before Western Oregon secured the sweep with two solo shots in the seventh inning to win 5-2.
 
Streby (0-2) picked up the loss after allowing three runs on four hits, with two walks four strikeouts in four innings of work. Luke Hare pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hits but worked out of three walks. Tanner Inouye collected two outs in the seventh, but also gave up the two home runs, and Robbie Shineman was called in to finish out the game.
 
The Saints return home to host Northwest Nazarene this coming weekend, March 9-10, with both doubleheaders scheduled to start at noon.