Members of the WWU Softball team celebrate after Emily Benson hit a walk-off home run. PHOTO: WWU Athletics
Benson Walk-Off HR Gives WWU Split with WOU
April 20, 2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University senior first baseman Emily Benson hit a walk-off home run to give the Vikings a 1-0 victory over Western Oregon in the second game of Friday’s Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader at Viking Field, earning a split of the games between two of the top teams in the conference.
Benson (West Richland, WA/Kamiakin) lined a 3-1 pitch over the fence in right-center field for the game-winner, the 45th home run in her illustrious career to tie the all-time GNAC record she now shares with Jessica Hallmark of Western Oregon (2008-11).
Western Oregon used a big 9-run 5th inning in the first game of the doubleheader to defeat the Vikings 10-1 in 5 innings.
WWU is now 25-14 overall and is now tied for second place in the conference with a 14-8 record. The Vikings will host Concordia, who swept its doubleheader at Simon Fraser on Friday, in a battle of the two teams that are tied for second place in the standings.
The doubleheader on Saturday is scheduled to start at noon at Viking Field, with the Senior Day ceremony scheduled to start at 11:50 am. WWU seniors Emily Benson, Makinlee Sellevold, Shearyna Labasan and Cylie Richards will be playing their final home games at Viking Field. Both games will stream online and feature live statistical updates at GNAC.tv.
UP NEXT FOR THE VIKS
WWU (25-14, 14-8 GNAC) returns to action on Saturday with the final home games of the season, hosting Concordia in a doubleheader starting at noon at Viking Field. A special Senior Day ceremony will be held prior to the first game of the doubleheader honoring WWU’s four seniors Emily Benson, Makinlee Sellevold, Shearyna Labasan and Cylie Richards.
-- WWU Softball --
