KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – After a tough loss to the Mounties yesterday, the Corban University softball team battled the College of Idaho Yotes on Saturday morning but was unable to come up with a win.

"We left it all on the field today! Each and every one of them played with their whole heart and selflessly for each other!" Head coach Danyelle Huber commented. 

In the top of the first frame, Maddie Ogles and Kaycee Arase reached via free passes, and Anastasia Iosia laid down a bunt on an 0-2 count. Katelyn Wilfert overthrew first allowing Ogles to score unearned. On the next play, Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina doubled to deep left scoring both Arase and Iosia. The double extended Corban's early lead to three. A second error allowed Madison Wyllie to reach first and Wilcox-Molina to advance to third.

Corban's fiery start caused CofI's ace, Wilfert, to be pulled in the first. Annie Polster came in with one out recorded and two runners on base. The sophomore righthander was able to stifle the Warrior offense and record two quick outs.

The Yotes were quick to snatch back the momentum and scored three runs on a series of hits off Sarah Parker. Holly Gonzales came in to relieve the freshman with only one out recorded in the bottom of the first. The southpaw was able to regain composure, but not before the home team on the scoreboard plated two more.

Samantha Martinez had a lead-off bunt single and quickly stole second. Ogles' groundout moved Martinez to third in hopes that Arase would produce an RBI for Corban. She did just that with a single to left. The Warrior third baseman attempted to steal two, but was thrown out by the Yote catcher and Iosia grounded out to end the second stanza.

By the end of the bottom of the second, the Yotes had scored a total of 11 runs on six hits, and three walks and two errors to Corban's four runs on three hits and two errors. After more than an hour of play the foes went in to the third inning with the Yotes leading 11-4.

In the top of four, Karla Calderon reached on a Yote miscue and Martinez laid down another bunt single. Ogles then hit a groundball to the shortstop who attempted a play at third, but the ball got away and Calderon scored unearned.

A bases-loaded walk to Wilcox-Molina allowed Martinez to score and made the score 11-6 in favor of College of Idaho. Yote head coach Al Mendiola turned to his bullpen once again and brought in Hannah McNerney to get out of a difficult situation. She earned herself a save with a three-pitch strikeout to end the inning.

Nearing the two-hour mark, the Yotes plated their 12^th run with an infield single.

The Warriors did not go quietly or without a fight. In the top of the seventh the visiting Warriors were able to push two across, but McNerney shut down the offense earning a save in Polster's win.

Gonzales recorded five strikeouts in her final outing for Corban and fellow senior Arase (2-2 BB, RBI, R) had an excellent performance at the dish in her swan song.

Huber added, "I am proud of the nine seniors and the foundation they will leave Corban softball with. They will be leaving quite a legacy. Prayers and blessings for every one of the seniors as the say goodbye to a big chapter of their lives and step into the next." 

Today's game marks the end of the 2022 season for Corban softball, but the Navy and Gold will return a young and hungry team for the 2023 campaign.