ATHERTON, Calif. – The Corban University softball continued its historic start to the 2015 season, completing the four-game weekend sweep of the Menlo College Oaks on the road, winning game one on Saturday, 11-4, and game two, 8-1. With a 9-1 record after 10 games, it is the first time the Warriors have done that in program history, and for the season, Corban has outscored its opponents by a total of 76-24.
The Warriors jumped on top in the second frame in game one with three runs, while Menlo responded with a pair in the bottom half of the inning. Corban exploded in the fifth inning, however, and ultimately added two more in the seventh for the seven-run victory in game one.
In the convincing win, Corban blasted three home runs. Senior third baseman Kyrianna Sorensen (Salem, Ore.), sophomore left-fielder Kylie Durre (Bend, Ore.), and sophomore right-fielder Taylor Eilders (Cameron Park, Ore.) each came up with the long balls.
Overall, Sorensen led the way with a 2-for-5 showing at the dish with four RBI, while sophomore second baseman Anne Binschus (Gig Harbor, Wash.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Additionally, sophomore center-fielder Annie Owen (Dallas, Ore.) registered two hits, as did junior designated player Jamie Costa (Tracy, Calif.).
Junior pitcher Emily Buhrkuhl (Stockton, Calif.) moved to 5-0 on the season while throwing four innings and allowing just two earned runs in the win while striking out five.
In game two, the Oaks (0-6) jumped on top with a run in the first frame, but it was all Corban after that, as the Warriors scored twice in the second, three times in the fifth, and then three more over the final two innings.
Costa tallied a homerun in the nightcap, while Binschus went 3-for-4 at the plate with one run scored. Durre recorded a pair of hits at the dish, while junior shortstop Kali Van Cleave (Portland, Ore.) also reached base twice via base knocks.
Junior pitcher Danielle Horne (Vacaville, Calif.) went the distance in the circle for the Navy and Gold, dispersing five hits while only giving up the one run.
"The girls really competed well today," said head coach Nathan Ohta. "Offensively they had some really good approaches at the plate that turned into quality at-bats. Our pitchers were great again, and our defense did a phenomenal job. I am extremely pleased not only with how the team is playing, but with the improvements I am seeing every time we take the field."
Corban (9-1) returns to the diamond when it travels to Georgia this week for the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Prior to the Leadoff Classic, however, the Warriors will take on Point University (Ga.) on Thursday. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. PST.
