BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The No. 2-seeded Corban Warrior Softball team recovered quickly from a heartbreaking one-run loss in game one of the NAIA Opening Round, earning a gritty 2-0 victory over the Midway Eagles in game two to remain alive and advance to Tuesday's portion of NAIA Opening Round.
"The team fought hard today to stay alive," said head coach Abigail Farler. "In the first game we were out of sync offensively, and defensively we didn't make the big plays we needed. In the second game, we made a lot of hard contact right at their defense, something the box score won't reflect. Sabrina and Kaylee combining for the shutout was huge for us. I'm excited to see what the team brings tomorrow."
The Warriors lost a tightly-contested battle in their first game of the day, dropping a nail-biter to No. 3-seeded Baker (Kan.) by a score of 2-1. The Warriors jumped on the board first following a two-out RBI single from senior Maddy Melton in the second, but the Wildcats responded with a pair of runs of their own in the fourth.
Two runs would prove to be all Wildcat ace Olivia Brees would need, as the hurler chucked an impressive complete-game, one-run gem to earn the victory. Offensively, the Warriors were held to only four hits, with Melton, Jessie Isham, Sam Woodley, and Ashlyn Englehorn each tallying knocks for the Navy and Gold.
Corban showed resilience, however, bouncing back to top Midway in game two, and advancing to tomorrow's elimination game. The win was due in large part to a phenomenal effort in the circle by Corban pitching, with Sabrina Boyd and Kaylee Graney-Patterson teaming up to scatter just five hits in the shutout.
At the dish, Kaylee Buhrkuhl led the way for the Warriors with three hits on the afternoon, while Woodley tallied a pair of knocks in the triumph, as well. Both Warrior runs came in the sixth frame, as Corban took advantage of Midway miscues to plate a pair of unearned runs. Forcing the issue on the base paths, Megan Rybar came home to score on a throwing error after stealing third base, and Englehorn drove in a crucial insurance run with an RBI groundout.
With the victory, Corban advances in the tournament elimination bracket, earning the right to play in tomorrow's elimination game for a chance to play in the tournament championship contest. Corban will compete against the loser of No. 1-seeded Marian (Ind.) and No. 3-seeded Baker (Kan.), with first pitch slated for 9 a.m. PT.
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