Krier, Maloney, Stark key NIC softball sweep

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The North Idaho Cardinals put on a hitting display on Saturday, exploding for 27 hits in 7-6 and 16-0 victories over Western Nevada in Scenic West Athletic Conference play at Edmonds Field.

Lauren Maloney and Amanda Krier had two RBIs each as the Cardinals (27-21, 20-16 SWAC) rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh in the first game.

In the second game, Krier hit a three-run home run in an eight-run sixth inning for the Cardinals. Maloney led off with a home run in a four-run fifth inning. Lindsey Stark had three hits in the second game for NIC.

Western Nevada (5-33, 4-28) fell into last place in the SWAC, behind idle Colorado Northwestern.

North Idaho will host second-place Southern Idaho in SWAC doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at Memorial Field.

FIRST GAME

North Idaho 005 000 2 - 7 10 2

Western Nevada 006 000 0 - 6 6 1

Alyssa Erickson, Kathy Comack (3) and Renae Kimbell; Elisa Dawson and Kelsie Fahr. W - Comack (8-6). L - Dawson (1-12).

HITS: NIC - Maloney 3, Krier 2, Ross, Hartnett, Stark 2, Springer. WNC - Savage, Hall, Senko, Archinieg, Fahr. 2B - Stark 2, Springer, Savage, Hall, Senko. 3B - Ross.

SECOND GAME

North Idaho 220 048 - 16 17 0

Western Nevada 000 000 - 0 1 0

Kathy Comack and Shelby Gonzales; Jennifer Watkins, Elisa Dawson (6) and Kelsie Fahr. W - Comack (9-6). L - Watkins (1-10).

HITS: NIC - Hawley 2, Maloney 3, Krier 2, Ross 2, Hartnett 2, Gonzales, Stark 3, Springer 2. WNC - Hall. 2B - Krier, Stark, Springer 2, Hall. HR - Maloney (13), Krier (5).