Lincoln, CA – The Hope International University softball team (5-1) continued their season at the Jessup tournament in Lincoln as they ran their win streak to four games by shuting out No. 19 Eastern Oregon 7-0 and then Northwest 11-0 on Friday at Wilson Park.

Game 1 vs Eastern Oregon:
Allie Puente (3-0) picked up the victory as she threw a complete game over seven innings allowing just three hits and striking out 13. Jaylyn Hernandez led the Royals offense going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs

The game was a pitcher's duel throughout as neither team really threatened through the first six innings. Then in the top of the seventh the Royals finally got to the Mountaineers with a big inning. Emily Puente would get it started with a leadoff double. A walk and a fielder's choice followed before Alena De La Torre lined a base hit to left to make it 1-0. The Royals would then add two more on a infield single by Nikki Marquez followed by an error to go up 3-0. Then later with two outs Hernandez hit an RBI triple down the line to make it 5-0. The Royals weren't done as Makenna O'Toole and Emily Puente again followed with RBI singles to increase the lead to 7-0.

The Mountaineers tried to fight back as they started the bottom of the inning with back to back hits. Allie Puente though wasn't going to let them get anything as she struck out the next batter and then got the final two outs as the Royals knocked off the Mountaineers 7-0 handing them their first loss of the season.

Game 2 vs Northwest:
Olivia Candelas (2-1) picked up the victory as she threw a complete game pitching five innings allowing just three hits while walking three and striking out eight. Nikki Marquez and Makenna Stuart led the Royals offense going 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs each. 

The Royals jumped on top early as they took advantage of an Eagles error with Emily Puente ripping an RBI double down the left field line to put the Royals up 1-0. Candelas then shut down the Eagles before the Royals broke open the game in the top of the third inning. With two on and one out Makenna O'Toole lined a single up the middle to make it 2-0. Then after a walk loaded the bases Marquez dropped a single into right field to increase the Royals lead to 4-0. An error followed to make it 5-0 then Makenna Stuart delivered with an RBI single to make it 6-0. She would later steal second and force another error allowing another run as the Royals took a commanding 7-0 lead.

Candelas continued to shut down the Eagles allowing two hits while the Royals added to their lead in the top of the fifth. With two on and one out Marissa Hernandez delivered an RBI single to make it 8-0. Stuart then followed with an RBI groundout before De La Torre and Emma McCraw hit back to back RBI singles to increase the Royals lead to 11-0. Candelas then closed out the game as the Royals won in five innings.

The Royals continue action at the Jessup tournament in Lincoln, CA as they take on Eastern Oregon and Northwest again beginning on Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 AM.