BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

SALEM, Ore. – Junior Rachel Conard went a combined 5-for-6 at the plate with one run scored and four runs batted in, as Corban's softball team split a make-up double header with Eastern Oregon, 6-1 & 3-5, Thursday on Warrior Field.

Today's matchup was a pair of rescheduled games from mid-March that were supposed to be played in La Grande, but were moved to Salem after bad weather forced a cancellation the first time.

Following today's results, Corban moves to 18-8 overall and 3-5 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Meanwhile, Eastern Oregon pushes its record to 8-12 overall and 4-8 in league games.

Along with Conard, senior Emma Winckler and junior Liane DeHart each collected two hits.

GAME #1 – CORBAN 6, EASTERN OREGON 1

In the opener, Corban got on the board first when Conard ripped a run-scoring double to center field that allowed Winckler to score from second after she was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.

With a slim one-run lead in the top of the fourth inning, senior Abbie Pynch belted a one-run home run just beyond the center field fence for her second home run of the season giving Corban a two-run lead (2-0).

One inning later, Winckler crushed her ninth home run of the season to left center giving the visiting Warriors a three-run advantage (3-0).

In the top of the sixth inning, Corban would got its first three batters – Pynch, junior Brittany Chestnut, and DeHart – on base before freshman Kyrianna Sorenson ripped an infield single two batters later that scored Pynch. Conard would then plate Chestnut and DeHart via a double to left field that put the visiting Warriors ahead by six runs (6-0).

Eastern Oregon would finally get on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning when Emily Anderson belted a solo home run over the center field fence that cut the Mountaineers' deficit to five runs (5-1).

Fortunately for Corban, junior Amy Greenough and freshman Jessica Slate would combine to shut down EOU's offense over the final 1.2 innings en route to collecting the 6-1 victory.

Greenough went the opening 6.0 innings allowing one earned run on two hits with a game-high eight strikeouts before Slate got the final three outs for the Warriors.

Anderson and Cassie Wendt were the only Eastern Oregon players to collect hits, as Alex Hillmick went the distance in the circle for the Mountaineers allowing six earned runs on 11 hits with three K's.

GAME #2 – EASTERN OREGON 5, CORBAN 3

The finale would be a pitcher's duel through the opening three innings before Corban finally got on the board in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-out double to left field by junior Stephanie Nippert before she came around to score on a RBI single to left center by Winckler. After a wild pitch moved Winckler to second, Conard ripped a single through the right side that allowed Winckler to score giving Corban an early 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, Corban could not hold Eastern Oregon at bay as the host Mountaineers plated five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with Ashli Hughes and Georgianna Kelly each collecting a RBI. When everything was said and done, Eastern Oregon had a three-run lead (5-2).

Neither team would score again until the top of the seventh inning when Corban loaded the bases with one out. DeHart would then rip a single down the left field line that allowed Conard to score following her leadoff single. Unfortunately, EOU's Kelly would gun down Chestnut at the plate to end the game and preserve a hard-fought two-run victory (5-3) for the Mountaineers.

Junior Chelsea Schriber went the opening 3.0 innings for Corban allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits before Slate pitched the final 3.0 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits.

Eastern Oregon's bats were led by Lacey Price with a pair of hits, while Kayla Anderson went the distance in the circle for the Mountaineers allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with a game-high five strikeouts.

Corban will return to action tomorrow – Friday, April 6th – against the NAIA's No. 19-ranked College of Idaho beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Warrior Field in Salem.