REDDING, Calif. – On the second day of the No. 23-ranked Corban University Softball team's 2021 season, the bats struggled to find their footing, as the Warriors fell in back-to-back games—by scores of 10-1 and 8-1—at the hands of the (RV) Simpson Red Hawks. 

"We know what continued adjustments we need to make," said head coach Rachel Martin, "and we are going to keep growing with each opportunity."

Simpson was able to tally two early runs in the bottom half of the first inning of game one, when Cailey Rizzardo doubled into the right field corner. The drive scored both Mia Olvera and Aubrey Zamora, putting the Navy and Gold in a quick hole.

The Warriors were able to cut the lead in half in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Megan Rybar. Kaylee Buhrkuhl crossed the plate, giving the Warriors a bit of life.

The score would remain 2-1 until the bottom half of the fourth, when the Red Hawks' lineup exploded for three additional runs. Brooke Blades began the onslaught with an RBI single to right field, which scored Reina Tsuma. Tsuma had reached on a walk earlier in the inning. To cap off the frame, McKenzie Martinez raked a two-run single up the middle, pushing Blades and Meridian Enzriquez across to extend the Simpson lead to four runs. The Warriors were able to throw out Martinez trying to stretch it into a double, which ended the scoring threat.

Unfortunately for Corban, the fifth inning was no better, as the Red Hawks were able to tack on five more tallies on three hits and two Warrior miscues. A Zamora single knocked in Olvera, who stole second after singling to left to open the frame. Ashley Miller came across to score on an error by Buhrkuhl, before Tsuma smacked a sac fly to deep center field that drove in Zamora. The final two runs of the game were scored on an infield single by Enzriquez, which scored both Emalie Guerrero and Rizzardo because of a Warrior throwing error. The game ended after five and a half innings with a 10-1 final score. 

The Corban offense could muster just two hits in the game, which came via a Taylor Beasley single and a Sophia Barbosa double.

Holly Gonzales had a strong start in the circle, allowing just two runs over her first three frames, but the fourth and fifth innings turned the tide of the game, as Simpson pushed across eight total runs between the two stanzas. 

Kylee Potes pitched a five-inning complete game for Simpson in the series-opening win, as she allowed just one unearned run on two hits allowed. She was able to set down four Warrior hitters on strikes, as well.

Game two began in a similar fashion to the first, as the Red Hawks tallied two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run triple by Rizzardo, scoring Olvera and Miller. 

The Warriors also struck back in the top half of the second, this time via a homer to dead center by Kaycee Arase, which cut the lead in half.

The Red Hawks tacked on three runs in the bottom of the second, which created a four-run deficit for Corban early on. Jodi Garner smoked an RBI double to open the scoring in the inning, driving home Enzriquez. After loading the bases, the offense continued to sizzle as Zamora ripped a two-RBI single past Buhrkuhl, scoring Olvera and Miller.

The Red Hawks would add single runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings, as the Warrior offense struggled to produce baserunners in the day's latter contest. 

Arase had two hits in the game, including the solo homerun in the second inning, while Madison Wyllie was responsible for the Warriors' only other knock, which also led to her first stolen base of the young season.

Kaylee Brown began the game in the circle, ending the day having pitched 2.1 innings of six-run ball, before handing off the pitching duties to Ally Crakes. She pitched the final 3.2 innings, allowing just two runs over that span. 

Sydney Moorhed was able to hold down the Corban bats in game two, as she pitched a complete seven innings and allowed just a single run to score. Her nine strikeouts outpaced any other pitcher on the afternoon.

Corban (1-3) will play two more games against Simpson tomorrow, eagerly anticipating a chance to bounce back. The games are currently slated for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

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