SALEM, Ore. – Behind a one-hit performance by freshman pitcher Sabrina Boyd (Pleasant Hill, Ore.) and a 10-run second-inning, the No. 23 Corban University softball team rebounded from a game-one defeat to Northwest University with a convincing 12-0, five-inning triumph over the Eagles in game two. Corban now owns a 9-1 record over Northwest ever since the Eagle softball program made its inaugural appearance in 2013.
"The girls swung the bats really well in game two, and Danielle Horne and Sabrina Boyd both threw really good games for us today," said head coach Nathan Ohta. "Tomorrow will be a big day against Concordia and it will be a great day to honor three very special seniors, so come out tomorrow and support your warriors!"
Northwest 4, No. 23 Corban 1 – Game One
Despite being last in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) in both hits and batting average, Northwest out-hit Corban, 10-6, en route to plating its first-ever victory over the Warriors in game one.
Junior designated player Jamie Costa (Tracy, Calif.) tallied the Warriors' only RBI of the afternoon, as she led the Warriors with a 2-for-3 effort. Sophomore first baseman Kylie Durre (Bend, Ore.) went 1-for-3, as she mustered a one-out double in the seventh in attempt to rally the Navy and Gold.
In the circle for Corban, junior pitcher Danielle Horne (Vacaville, Calif.) suffered just her second loss of the season, as she tallied three strikeouts and yielded 10 hits.
Although Northwest notched only three hits in the first four frames, the Eagle bats caught fire in the bottom of the fifth inning. Northwest put the pressure on Corban after loading the bases with only one out via a pair of singles and a walk. After the Warriors compelled a force out at home, junior shortstop Ricki Tacdol launched a three-run double to deep right center to put the Eagles on the board, 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Navy and Gold rode a hitless wagon until the bottom of the fifth, as Costa ripped a two-out single to deep left center field against the fence. However, Corban couldn't plate any runs in the inning and entered the sixth still trailing, 3-0.
Corban had a chance to dial in some runs in the bottom of the sixth after putting two runners in scoring position, but Northwest junior pitcher Kelli Peckham continued her stingy performance in the circle, as the righty forced a two-out groundout to retire the side.
With a 4-0 lead in the top of the seventh, Northwest juiced the bases for the second time thanks to a trio of singles. Much to the Eagles' dismay, Horne forced two flyouts and a strikeout to keep Corban within reach.
The Navy and Gold pulled to within three (4-1) in the bottom of the seventh after Costa belted an RBI single to drive home Durre. Sophomore left-fielder Taylor Eilders (Cameron Park, Calif.) followed with a one-out double to put runners on second and third, but Peckham forced a popout and a strikeout to propel the Eagles to the 4-1 upset.
Northwest was led by Tacdol who batted 3-for-4 with a team-high three RBI. Freshman second baseman Darian Godfey also notched three hits in the winning effort, while senior first baseman Bethany Bay batted 2-for-3.
In the circle, Peckham collected her second one-run triumph of the season and sixth victory overall, as she recorded five strikeouts for the Eagles.
No. 23 Corban 12, Northwest 0 (Five Innings) – Game Two
Thanks to the arm of Boyd and a 10-run second inning, Corban turned the tables on Northwest with a 12-0, five-inning victory in game two.
Boyd had a career day in the circle, as the youngster tossed her first complete-game one-hitter in a Navy and Gold uniform. In the top of the fifth, the righty was just one pitch away from a no-hitter, but sophomore first baseman Lexie Robbins managed to double to right field on 1-2 count to break the streak.
After the game, Boyd spoke with the Sports Information Office about her one-hitter.
For the Eagles (12-22, 8-18 CCC), senior hurler Keirston Perry fell to 5-9 on the season after she gave up seven earned runs in 1.2 innings.
Boyd's individual performance was partnered with a total-team effort by Corban on the offensive end, as eight different players collected hits in the victory. Both senior right-fielder RaeAnna Dorcas (Everett, Wash.) and junior shortstop Kali Van Cleave (Portland, Ore.) chipped in two hits apiece for the Warriors, while Costa recorded a team-high four RBI thanks to a grand slam in the second frame.
After a quiet offensive performance by Corban in game one in which the Warriors failed to capture a hit until the fifth inning, Owen opened the bottom of the first frame with a double to deep left field. Owen eventually reached third on a wild pitch, but the Warriors couldn't drive her home.
While Boyd continued the success of Corban's bullpen by keeping the Eagles hitless in the first two innings, the Warriors got to work on the offensive end in the bottom of the second, as they exploded for 10 runs to leave the Eagles in the dust. Both sophomore catcher Danielle Ackerman (Dallas, Ore.) and sophomore second baseman Anne Binschus (Gig Harbor, Wash.) drew bases loaded walks, and sophomore center-fielder Annie Owen (Corvallis, Ore.) launched a sacrifice fly to tally the first three runs for Corban.
With the bases loaded once again, Costa proved why she is one of Corban's most powerful hitters, as she launched a grand slam to center field to push the Navy and Gold ahead, 7-0. Both Dorcas and senior third baseman Kyrianna Sorensen (Salem, Ore.) mustered RBI doubles, and then Van Cleave ripped an RBI single to cap Corban's 10-run inning.
The 10 runs in the second marked a season-high for runs scored in a single inning for the Navy and Gold.
In the bottom of the fourth, Van Cleave struck again at the dish, as she belted a two-run single to put the icing on Corban's 12-0 victory.
The Navy and Gold (34-14, 17-8 CCC) returns to action tomorrow for Senior Day against crosstown rival No. 17 Concordia University. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is set for 11 a.m.
