The second Mike Duffy era for Southwestern Oregon Community College's softball program started with a comeback victory against visiting Northwest Christian College on Tuesday.

The Lakers lost the opener to the Beacons 5-0, but rallied for a 6-4 win in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the sixth inning.

“It's very fun to get a comeback win,” said Duffy. “It's nice to start the season 1-1 instead of 0-2.”

The Lakers had a 2-1 lead in the nightcap before Northwest Christian scored three runs in the top of the sixth. Southwestern rallied, though.

Shay Oberg reached base on an error, but was still on first with two outs when the rally started. Mel Powell singled to right and then stole second. Kim Posey beat out an infield single, driving in Oberg. After Posey stole second, Noel Talbot came up with the big hit, a drive to left center that the centerfielder misplayed into an error, allowing Talbot to come all the way around to score.

Powell and Posey both went 2-for-4 for the Lakers in the win and Erica Sheets had a solid outing, giving up six hits.

“Erica Sheets did a (great) job pitching for somebody who hasn't pitched since high school,” Duffy said. “She spotted the ball well and we played good defense behind her.”

In the first game, Southwestern struggled as it adjusted to facing an opposing pitcher for the first time.

“We could not hit the ball to save our soul,” Duffy said.

NCC pitcher Megan McLearn struck out 13 hitters and allowed just three hits.

“She did a great job moving pitches up and down ... but our 13 strikeouts was more a product of our lack of real batting practice as opposed to her dominating the game,” Duffy said.

The Beacons scored four runs in the third inning after Southwestern pitcher Sada Bradley got all the hitters out the first two innings.

“The wheels fell off in that one inning,” Duffy said.

Jenn West had two hits for the Lakers.

The Lakers have at least four games this weekend at the Bash and Buchanan in Fresno, Calif., and then over spring break will travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., for six games at the Wide World of Sports complex.

The Lakers don't play a game in Coos Bay again until April 10 when they face Clackamas in the first of four consecutive NWAACCSouthRegion doubleheaders they will play at home.

The Lakers open the 30-game league schedule on April 3 with a twin bill against Chemeketa in Salem.

First Game

Northwest Christian 5, Southwestern 0

NCC 004 100 0 - 5 7 0

Southwestern 000 000 0 - 0 3 2

Megan McLearn and Brittany Robles; Sada Bradley, Erica Sheets (7) and Sheets, Megan Eng (7).

Second Game

Southwestern 6,

Northwest Christian 4

NCC 100 003 0 - 4 6 2

Southwestern 002 004 x - 6 7 3

Jill Wyatt and Brittany Robles; Erica Sheets and Mel Powell.