IRVINE, CA – In a postseason rematch, the Yotes and the Nighthawks met again in the first round of the NCAA West Region Tournament on the campus of Concordia University Irvine. It was a battle of the pitchers for both the Yotes and Nighthawks of Northwest Nazarene University. Both squads were scoreless headed into the extra innings with Samantha Vargas recording five strikeouts, two short of her season high.

The Yotes struggled to get their offense going, only recording one hit in the first eight innings by Alyssa Martinez. All-West Region First Team awardee Tereise Tosi collected the second hit for the Yotes, but was left on base in the top of the ninth. NNU's starting pitcher, Sidney Booth, has been extremely challenging for the Yotes lineup to figure out this season, as she has now only surrendered two hits in 16.0 innings with 14 strikeouts in her two starts against CSUSB.

In the top of the ninth with the bases loaded, the Nighthawks hit a single to center field to end the game and send the Yotes into the elimination bracket. Vargas is now 19-13 on the season.

Up Next
Per double-elimination rules, the Yotes will play again tomorrow, Friday, May 12^th, at 1:30 PM and will face the Biola University Eagles. Should they win that game, they will face the loser of Game 3 immediately following. The Yotes are now in a must-win situation, and must win their next two games in order to advance to the championship game on Saturday.
 

LINKS Tournament Central: HERE
NCAA Bracket: HERE
Tickets: HERE
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Live Stats: HERE
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