BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University Clan softball team had its seven game winning streak snapped, losing a double header to Western Oregon 2-0 and 6-5 Saturday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action at Beedie Field.

The red hot Clan offence was unable to solve WOU's pitcher Alyson Boytz in the first game in a great pitching duel with SFU sophomore Alia Stachoski. Both teams combined for just seven hits with the Wolves winning 2-0.

The Clan's offence came alive early in game two of the doubleheader but they surrendered a 5-0, eventually losing 6-5.

With the two losses, the Clan dropped to 7-5 in conference play and 16-12 overall while the Wolves moved to 2-2 in the GNAC and 9-10 overall.

"Two tough loses today but hopefully not without lessons to learn from," said Clan head coach Mike Renney.

SFO 0 WOU 2

The Clan bats were unable to figure out WOU's pitcher, Boytz, as the Clan was held to just three hits.

The only runs of the game came in the top of the third inning when Destiny Keuhl drove home the opening run by doubling to the wall in right. It was her seventh double of the season. The Wolves added another run in the inning and that was the only scoring they would need. The Clan committed two errors in the inning.

"We were simply too tentative at the plate but give credit to the Western Oregon pitcher who kept us in check," said Renney.  "If anything it was a classic pitching battle and was won on a couple of defensive miscues on our part."

Rachel Proctor was able to get to first base with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, starting a potential rally. However, Boytz was able to retire the next two batters with groundouts to end the game.

Clan starting pitcher Alia Stachoski pitched well in a complete game. Stachoski allowed only four hits and two runs while striking out eight Wolves. Stachoski currently leads the GNAC in strikeouts with 76.

SFU 5 WOU 6

SFU's offence didn't wait long to unleash its power in game two. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Nicole Ratel added to her GNAC-leading RBI total with a sacrifice fly to right field. Back to back hits from Proctor and Baylak plated two more runs to give the Clan an early 3-0 lead.

Ratel finished the day with 31 RBIs on the season and continues to lead the GNAC.

Ratel knocked in another run in the bottom of the third as she drove a single through the left side of the infield. The Clan was able to increase its lead to 5-0 when Lundrigan scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

WOU responded in the top of the fourth inning by loading the bases with two away. The Wolves hit a single and drew a walk with the bases loaded totaling four runs in the inning. Alia Stachoski entered the game, her second appearance of the day, and walked one, but was able to limit the damage by forcing a deep fly out to right field. The score after the top of the fourth was 5-4.

The Clan was unable to hold the lead in the fifth inning. WOU tied the game at five when Ashlee Lynch led off the inning with a solo home run to center field. The Wolves continued to hit the long ball two batters later when Emma Alfonso crushed a Stachoski pitch to right field giving the Wolves the lead, 6-5.

The Clan appeared to be in line to at least tie the game in the bottom of the 7th with runners on second and third with only one away. However, a deep fly ball was caught and thrown home and Clan runner, Taylor Gillis was tagged out in between third and home ending the ball game.

"I was pleased to see us bounce back offensively and jump out to a good lead, unfortunately our bull pen was not as sharp as it has been in past games and allowed Western to get back in the game and eventually take the lead," said Renney. "Offensively once we got behind we got tight and didn't get loose until the 7th and had the tying run to 3rd and winning run to 2nd before we came up short so it was good to see the fight right to the end."

Clan starter Tori Belton pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs. Stachoski was tagged with her second loss of the day bringing her record to 8-5 on the season.

Both Stephanie Caron and Taylor Lundrigan had two hits each for the Clan, which had eight hits in the game. The Clan batters struck out nine times.

The Clan doubleheader on Sunday, March 20 as against the Concordia Cavaliers has been cancelled due to weather

Follow the SFU Clan softball team for behind the scenes pictures and more all season long on their official Instagram account @sfu_softball.

--@SFUClan--