AZUSA, Calif.---  In Stan State' 2024 regular season oner, the Warriors saw their late inning rally fall short in a 3-2 loss to No. 25 Northwest Nazarene this afternoon in both team's first game of the Concordia Kickoff Classic.  Today's game was played at the Cougar Softball Complex in Azusa, Calif., due to the inclement weather throughout the State of California.
 
The game was scoreless until the Nighthawks' half of the third inning. Clarissa Moreno reached on a two-out error.  She went to second when Sidney Botth walked.  Both runners came off on a three-run home run to left center by Abigail Gagnon.
 
Stan State (0-1) made it interesting in its half of the sixth inning.  Katie Thornsberry was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.  She went to second on a single by Mikaela Ferreira. Each runner advanced a base on a wild pitch.  With one out, Sarah Warden hit a pinch hit two-run one-out single to cut the Warrior deficit to 3-2.  
 
The Warriors had a chance to tie the game or take the lead in their last at bat.  Shelby Frutoz had a lead-off single.  She went to second when Faith Erb reached on a Nighthawk error with one out.  Northwest Nazarene (1-0) induced the next Stan State batter to ground out into a fielder's choice and place runners on the corners.  Ferreira drew a two-out walk to load the bases.  Nighthawk reliever, Charlott Forniss, induced the next Warrior to ground out to a fielder's choice at second to preserve the 3-2 Northwest Nazarene victory.
 
WARRIOR HITTERS:  Stan State managed four hits on the day with 2023 CCAA Newcomer of the Year, Mikaela Ferreira, going two-for-three with a run scored.  Sarah Warden had a hit with two runs batted in while Shelby Frutoz had the other Stan State hit.  
 
WARRIOR PITCHERS:  Shelby Frutoz (0-1) suffered the loss, pitching a complete game.  She gave up five hits and three unearned runs, while striking out one and walking two.
 
UP NEXT:  Due the field conditions at Orange County's Great Park, the Warriors will play both of their games at Golden Eagles Stadium, tomorrow, February 3.  Stan State will face No. 14 Concordia University at 1 pm.  Right after the conclusion of the Warriors' game with the Golden Eagles, Stan State will face Western Washington at 3:30 pm.  As of this evening, the Warriors will finish the classic with a 11:30am starting game on Sunday against Colorado Christian.  For more information on the Classic, click here.