EUGENE, Ore. – The split habit continued for Lady Argo softball against Northwest Christian University. UGF won Game 1, 2-1 (8 innings) and lost Game 2, 6-5, splitting for the fifth consecutive doubleheader.
 
Four days after a dramatic and need extra inning walk-off against Carroll College, the Lady Argos against needed some 8th inning heroics to come away with a Game 1 win against the Beacons.
 
This time, instead of a high looping double, it was a driving single to right field and a NCU error that brought senior Alex Lowry (14) across home plate for the game winning run. The single came off the bat of fellow senior Keeley Van Blaricom (6), who also pitched a three hit complete game to earn her eleventh win of the season.
 
The only run scored against Van Blaricom was a solo shot homerun in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game up at one run apiece. UGF was first on the board with an RBI double from senior Chloe Chross (3) in the top of the 5th that brought in junior pinch runner Kyra Dorvall (16).
 
UGF was forced to play catch-up for most of Game 2 after a five run second inning from the Beacons. Both teams scored one run in the third, bringing the score to 6-2 NCU and after that the Lady Argo defense and pitching tightened up and didn't allow another run.
 
Over the next four innings, the UGF offense tried to climb back into the lead and they nearly did in the 5th and 6th innings.
 
After one Lady Argo got thrown out a home in the top of the 5th, Dorvall drove in junior Kimberly McAdams (5) to close within three but the team missed a chance to make the game much close, leaving three runners on base.
 
A double to left center started off the 6th for the Lady Argos, followed by a Van Blaricom single before junior designated hitter Haley Swan (27) hit into a fielder's choice that brought home junior Jackie Thomas (7). A single then drove in Van Blaricom to pull within one but once again runners were left on base, this time the potential game tying and game winning runs.
 
UGF failed to score in the final inning and the game ended in a 6-5 loss.
 
The Lady Argo's record moves to 22-14 (16-10/6-6), but the outcome doesn't effect the team's conference standing since Northwest Christian isn't a divisional opponent and isn't in the top four teams in the CCC West. UGF's next opponent, Corban University, isn't in the top four in the West, meaning wins could help UGF make Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs if they finish third in the CCC East.
 
Currently, UGF and Eastern Oregon University are tired for second in the division, but the Lady Argos will only win a tiebreaker if The College of Idaho sweeps EOU when the two teams face on Saturday, April 23.
 
UGF's doubleheader against Corban will also be on April 23, starting at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in Salem, Ore.