HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Saints' losing streak nearly came to end until a sixth inning three run home run by Western Oregon lifted the Wolves to a doubleheader sweep on Monday.
Playing at Portland State for a neutral site, offense dominated the first game with the Saints scoring seven runs. However, Western Oregon used a seven run second inning to fuel their 11 runs in the game one victory. In game two, the Saints held a 5-2 lead heading into the sixth, but a two out three run home run proved to be fatal and extend the Saints' losing streak to six.
Saint Martin's jumped on the board early in the opening tilt, scoring one on a sac fly from
Sabrina Hicks. The lead did not last long though as the Wolves tacked a seven spot on the board in the next half inning.
SMU managed to add two more in the third on a RBI triple from
Lauren Diuco and RBI single from
Devyn Connolly. Connolly ended the game with three hits. Western Oregon extended the lead with one in the fifth and sixth before Hicks connected on her sixth home run and team-leading 26th and 27th RBIs of the season.
Despite the late run support, and cutting the lead down to three, the Wolves managed to ice the game in the seventh with two more runs.
In the second bout, WOU struck first, scoring one in the second on a single up the middle. A throwing error by the Wolves in the third allowed Connolly to come around and score to tie the game. Later in the inning,
Kylee Vanderbout singled to the pitcher, driving in
Trinity Favela. However, a throwing error by the pitcher on the same play allowed
Nicki DeHan to score as well for a 3-1 lead.
Western Oregon added one in the fourth but Diuco provided run support in the fifth with an RBI single. On the play, another error by the Wolves gave way to another run for the Saints for a 5-3 lead. However, the lead came to end with a three run blast to center field for Western Oregon in the sixth to help seal the 6-5 victory.
The Saints travel to California for their next games, participating in the Tournament of Champions. Over the course of three days, the Saints will play five games, with live stats available for all.
