WWU senior first baseman Emily Benson became the first player in program history to record 200 career hits. PHOTO: WWU Athletics
Vikings Split Doubleheader vs. Simon Fraser
April 10, 2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University softball team split its Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader vs. Simon Fraser University on Tuesday at Viking Field, with both games featuring tight 2-1 contests.
The Vikings remain in 2nd place in the GNAC standings with a 24-13 overall record and 13-7 mark in conference play. WWU is 1-4 over its last five games after winning 10 of its previous 11 games. The Vikings took three of the four games from SFU in the season series. The doubleheader split vs. SFU ended a 15-day stretch where the Vikings played 14 games, with 12 on the road, going 9-5.
WWU won the opening game of the doubleheader on a pinch-hit, bases loaded, walk-off single by freshman Brooke Fesenbek and came within a few feet of sweeping the doubleheader in the 2-1 loss in the nightcap.
Junior designated player Paityn Cyr hit the top of the left field fence on a double, that would have given the Vikings a 3-2 lead with a home run, but the potential tying run was thrown out at the plate on the play. WWU also had a runner thrown out at home plate in the 4th inning, with both outfield assists by SFU left fielder Hailey Gearey.
Senior All-America candidate Emily Benson went 3-for-6 in the doubleheader, becoming WWU’s all-time hits leader. Her single in the 4th inning of the gave her 199 career hits to pas Michelle Wrigley (2008-11) for the most hits in program history. She later added her 200th career hit with a single in the 6th inning.
Senior Makinlee Sellevold recorded the win in the circle in the first game, scattering seven hits and allowing one run in the complete-game victory. She improved to 16-9 on the season, the 59th win of her career.
Simon Fraser freshman pitcher Anissa Zacharczuk pitched all 13.1 innings for the Clan in the doubleheader, allowing 11 hits and 3 runs.
The Vikings are off this weekend and return to action hosting Western Oregon and Concordia April 19-20 in the final home games of the season. WWU wraps up the 2019 regular season with a four-game series at Northwest Nazarene April 26-27. All remaining games, home and road, will stream online and feature live statistical updates at GNAC.tv.
UP NEXT FOR THE VIKS
WWU (24-13, 13-7 GNAC) is off this weekend and returns to action hosting Western Oregon (Friday, April 19, 1 pm) and Concordia (Saturday, April 20, 12 pm) in the final home games of the season at Viking Field. The Saturday doubleheader will be Senior Day forEmily Benson, Makinlee Sellevold, Shearyna Labasan and Cylie Richards.
-- WWU Softball --
