Lady Warriors Softball Drop Two to Golden Eagles

The Nelson Lady Warriors softball team (0-4) dropped another tough doubleheader on the road, falling to the La Sierra Golden Eagles by scores of 3-2 in the opener and 5-3 in the second game. Despite competitive efforts in both games, timely hitting and a few key defensive miscues proved the difference as Nelson continues its early-season search for that first win.

Game 1: La Sierra 3, Nelson 2
The Lady Warriors struck first in the top of the first inning. Briyanei Celaya led off with a single, promptly stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored when a La Sierra throw sailed wide, giving Nelson a quick 1-0 lead.

The advantage was short-lived. The Golden Eagles tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second, then plated two more in the third to take a 3-1 lead they would protect the rest of the way.

Nelson mounted a rally in the top of the sixth: Charli York reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and came home on an Estevannie Rojas single to cut the deficit to 3-2. Rojas advanced to second and then stole third with only one out, putting the tying run 90 feet away—but the Warriors couldn't bring her home, leaving the potential game-tying run stranded.

Kelly Katalbas delivered a strong complete-game effort in the circle, tossing all six innings on 105 pitches. She allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits, walked 1, and struck out 4 in a hard-luck loss. Six different Warriors recorded one hit apiece in the low-scoring affair.

Game 2: La Sierra 5, Nelson 3
The afternoon game saw Nelson fall behind early. La Sierra scored once in the bottom of the second and added three more in the fourth to build a 4-0 cushion.

The Lady Warriors responded in the top of the fifth. With one out, Stephany Aguirre doubled to center. Briyanei Celaya followed with an infield single, stole second to put runners in scoring position, and Kiley Hernandez drove in Aguirre on an infield groundout. Emily Quigg then delivered a clutch single to center that plated Celaya, pulling Nelson within 4-2.

La Sierra answered with a run in the bottom half to restore a three-run edge. The Warriors scratched across one more in the top of the sixth, but could get no closer despite out-hitting the Golden Eagles 9-7 overall.

Celaya, Quigg, and Rojas each record season-highs with 2 hits for the offense, while Araeya Cosay battled through a complete-game effort, throwing all six innings on 128 pitches. She allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits, walked 6, and struck out 1 in the tough-luck defeat.

Up next for the Lady Warriors softball squad is a double-header at Westcliff University. They return home to open their home slate of games against the College of Idaho on Thursday, February 12, beginning at Noon at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.