BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

PORTLAND, Ore. – The next-to-last weekend of the regular season for Corban's nationally-ranked softball team began with a double header split against the host Cavaliers of Concordia, 3-6 & 3-2, Friday at Delta Park.

With today's results, Corban moves to 28-10 overall and 13-7 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. The Warriors remain two games ahead of Concordia in the win column and remain in second place in the league standings two games behind No. 7-ranked Oregon Tech. Meanwhile, Concordia moves to 20-18 overall and 11-7 in CCC games with the Cavaliers holding a 2½ game lead over The College of Idaho for third place and the final spot in the CCC Post-Season Tournament.

On the afternoon, junior Rachel Conard was a combined 4-for-6 with one run scored and three runs batted in that also included her sixth home run of the season. Meanwhile, junior Brittany Chestnut was 3-for-6 with one run scored and one RBI to go along with two-hit performances by senior Abbie Pynch, junior Stephanie Nippert, and junior Erica Fitzgerald. Junior Chynna Sandhop was the only other Warrior to collect a hit on the afternoon.

GAME #1 – CONCORDIA 6, CORBAN 3

In the opener, Concordia would get on the board first thanks to a leadoff solo home run by Kate Santos in the bottom of the second inning to give the host Cavaliers a 1-0 lead.

Corban would comeback in the top of the fourth inning when Pynch led off with a single to center field before advancing to second on a bunt single by Chestnut. After a strikeout, Nippert drew a walk to load the bases for Conard. Continuing to swing a hot bat, Conard ripped a two-run double into the right field corner allowing Pynch and Chestnut to score and moving Nippert to third. One batter later, senior Emma Winckler lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Nippert to score Corban's third run of the game giving the visiting Warriors a two-run lead (3-1).

Concordia wasted no time in counter-acting Corban's three-run at-bat, as the Cavaliers put three runs of their own on the board starting with a Laura Luther ground out that allowed Tobey Varney to score pulling CU within a single run (3-2). Jordyn Brown would follow with a RBI single up the middle that tied the game at 3-3, as Santos scored. With two outs and the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Breanne Larkin would reach on a fielding error by Corban that allowed Brown to score the eventual game-winning run putting Concordia up by a single run (4-3).

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Concordia would add two more runs to its total thanks to another error by Corban that allowed Varney to score before Mary Lugar ripped a single up the middle to bring home Santos with her third run of the game for the final margin of three runs (6-3).

Conard and Chestnut would lead Corban's offensive attack with two hits each, while junior Amy Greenough suffered the loss allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits in 5.0 innings of work before turning the ball over to freshman reliever Jessica Slate for the final three outs.

Concordia had three players – Varney, Santos, and Lugar – with two hits each, while Ashley Suter picked up her 10th win of the season allowing three earned runs on seven hits in a complete game effort.

GAME #2 – CORBAN 3, CONCORDIA 2

The finale would begin with Corban loading the bases with two outs thanks to a hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles. Sophomore Lounette Jackson would then hit the first pitch that she saw back to Concordia's pitcher, who attempt to start an inning-ending double play only to have the Cavaliers' catcher step too far in front of home plate allowing Sandhop to score the game's opening run.

Concordia would tie the game (1-1) in the bottom of the third inning when Kyndell Andrews grounded out to second allowing Sam Genskay to score from third after she registered a one-out single to left center.

In the top of the fourth inning, Corban took the lead once again on a sacrifice fly by Chestnut that allowed Fitzgerald to score to put the visiting Warriors up by a single run (2-1). Corban's at-bat would begin with Fitzgerald registering a one-out single to center field before nearly being thrown out at second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Liane DeHart only to have Concordia's shortstop miss the bag on a force out putting runners at first and second with one out. A single to right center by Pynch would load the bases before Chestnut lifted a shallow fly ball into left field that forced Concordia's defensive player to dive to make the catch allowing Fitzgerald to score from third.

Corban would add an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning when Conard belted an opposite field home run over the left center field fence putting the visiting Warriors up by two runs (3-1).

Concordia would pull within a single run (3-2) in the bottom of the fifth inning when Santos singled to left field allowing Genskay to score just ahead of the throw.

One inning later, Concordia threatened to take the lead when the host Cavaliers loaded the bases with one out before Genskay grounded into a fielder's choice that would see Lugar thrown out at home to preserve Corban's one-run lead.

Neither team would score in the seventh inning, as the visiting Warriors secured the hard-fought one-run victory.

Nippert and Conard would register two hits each for Corban, while junior Chelsea Schriber picked up her 10th win of the season allowing two earned runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work before turning the ball over to Greenough. The junior right-hander would pick up her first save of the year allowing a mere hit in 1.2 innings of work.

Concordia saw all nine offensive players record at least one hit, while Brown went the distance in the circle suffering her sixth loss of the season allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits.

Corban will return to action tomorrow – Saturday, April 21st – in its final Saturday double header of the regular season against CCC rival Northwest Christian beginning at 11:00 a.m. at James Park in Eugene.