SALEM, Ore. – After an 8-1 defeat in game one, the Corban University softball team earned their first home victory of the 2022 campaign on Saturday afternoon, defeating crosstown-rival Willamette University, 8-5.

Alise Olson started in the circle in game one before being relieved by Holly Gonzales who allowed just three hits and two runs in her 3.1 innings on the mound.

The usually dominant Warrior offense struggled to string hits together, recording only four hits in the morning game. Bearcat slinger Shaye Mott threw what was nearly a complete game shutout, until Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina drew a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning which brought in pinch runner, Sarah Parker. The speedster made it her mission to keep the Warriors in the game. After a sacrifice moved her to second, Parker was able to score on two Bearcat miscues.

Game two was a different story. The Corban bats came alive tallying nine hits and seven RBIs. Kaycee Arase and Meri McElligott led the way with two hits apiece, followed by five other Warriors each with a knock.

Meanwhile, Besse was spinning a gem in the circle, stymying the Willamette lineup in seven masterful frames. She would earn her first triumph of the season in the impressive display.

The sense is clear that the talented Corban squad is beginning to find its groove as it gets into the swing of the 2022 season, and the Warriors (2-4) will look to continue building upon that momentum as they prepare for an early season matchup with William Jessup University who just downed No. 1-ranked Oregon Tech on Friday and Saturday.

Corban and Jessup will battle on Saturday (February 12) in a doubleheader down in Rocklin, Calif., with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 12 p.m.