The Simon Fraser University women's softball team continued to hold onto top spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference following a weekend split with Central Washington.
Cara Lukawesky allowed just four hits and two earned runs in six innings of work in a 2-0 opening loss to the home Wildcats in Ellensburg, Washington on March 30.
Kelsie Hawkins registered her second consecutive shutout in the later 6-0 win, pitching seven shutout innings while giving up just four hits and striking out six batters to improve her record to 9-4.
"Strong pitching has been a theme for us. Our offence was lacklustre in the first game - we did have our chances though," said Clan head coach Mike Renney, in a school press release. "We had the bases loaded in the seventh inning and Mackenzie (Bender) had a line drive that their outfielder made an outstanding catch on to preserve their victory."
In Game 2, Carly Lepoutre went two-for-four at the plate and scored two runs to lead the Clan. Trisha Bouchard and Kaitlyn Cameron also scored a pair of runs apiece.
Bouchard was two-of-three at the plate and Cameron had one hit and a walk to get on base.
Danielle Raison batted in the game-winning runs on a single in the 2-0 opening first inning.
The Clan scored two more runs in the third. Cameron drove in Bouchard with a single. Rachel Proctor then brought Cameron home later in the inning on a base hit.
SFU added two more runs in the fourth on a hit, two walks, an error and a wild pitch.
"It was too little, too late in the first game, but I was pleased with how we bounced back in the second game. We played with more purpose and we got more production," added Renney.
With the split, SFU built its record to 11-5 in conference play. The Clan will return to action this Friday at the Mizuno Tournament of Champions in Turlock, California.
Earlier, SFU swept Northwest Nazarene 4-1 and 6-0 in a March 28 double header in Nampa, Idaho.
