Makinlee Sellevold went 3-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI in WWU’s 10-2 in the second game of today’s doubleheader. PHOTO: WWU Athletics
Vikings Remain Hot With Road Split at Western Oregon
March 11, 2019
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Washington University softball team split its Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader on Sunday at Western Oregon, falling 5-2 in the first game and then coming back with an offensive outburst in a 10-2 victory in the nightcap at WOU Softball Field.
WWU had its seven-game winning streak and 6-0 start in conference play snapped with the 5-2 loss in the opening game, but came back with one of its best offensive performances of the season in the 10-2 victory in the nightcap. The Vikings are now 13-6 on the season and 7-1 in GNAC play while winning eight of their last nine games.
“It was awesome to go get three tough road wins this weekend in conference play,” said first-year head coach Sheryl Gilmore. “These games were so great for our growth as a team and we learned a lot about our resiliency when things got tough. The extra-inning win at Concordia and the bounceback run-rule win today WOU really showed the heart of this group.”
Senior Makinlee Sellevold combined to go 4-for-6 with a home run and 3 RBI in the doubleheader and junior left fielder Seli Aholelei was 4-for-7 with 3 runs scored, a home run and 2 RBI. Overall the Vikings recorded 19 hits in the two games, including 14 in the second game and hit four home runs.
Senior pitcher/third baseman Shearyna Labasan was 3-for-8 at the plate and allowed only 2 earned runs in 8.0 innings in the circle. Making her 2019 debut this weekend enduring an early-season knee injury, Labasan combined to allow only two runs in a combined 16.2 innings while making four pitching appearances (2 starts).
“Getting Shearyna back in the lineup and in the circle has been a game changer,” added Gilmore. “She brings another element to the team and is such a strong leader for us.”
WWU’s defense continued its solid play in the field by not making an error in 12 innings. The Vikings made only one error in the four games vs. Concordia and Western Oregon, and have made only three errors over the last nine games.
“It was great to see so many different people step up for the team in all three phases of the game when we needed it most,” said Gilmore. “Our defense is really starting to gel and we are continuing to work on making good adjustments at the plate.”
The Vikings return home next week hosting Central Washington (Saturday) and Saint Martin’s (Sunday) in GNAC doubleheaders that will start at noon at Viking Field on the south end of the WWU campus.
“I am so proud of our Seniors – Makinlee, Emily, Cylie, and Shearyna – not only in how they are performing, but in how they are leading the team,” said Gilmore.
UP NEXT FOR THE VIKS
WWU (13-6, 7-1 GNAC) returns home next week hosting a pair of GNAC doubleheaders at Viking Field. Opens the weekend against Central Washington on Saturday and then welcomes Saint Martin’s to Bellingham. Both games will feature a noon first pitch in the doubleheader, with the second game following 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. All WWU home games offer free admission and parking and stream live with links at WWUVikings.com/Live.
-- WWU Softball --
