LINCOLN, Calif. – The Corban University Softball team (1-5, 0-0) earned their first win of the season this afternoon at Wilson Park, starting the day with a 7-3 victory over Menlo College (2-6, 0-0) before falling to the No. 21-ranked Jessup University Warriors (7-2, 0-0) by a final score of 9-3.

"Corban Softball got their first win of the season this morning and I'm proud of the efforts they put forward! Allie in the circle came to win and was gunning from the get-go," Warriors' Head Coach Danyelle Huber shared earlier this afternoon. "I'm excited for the girls to experience success from their hard work and I'm looking forward to their continued growth."

Game 1 – Corban 7, Menlo 3

All was quiet offensively for both teams through the first two innings, as each starting pitcher settled in early to induce outs consistently and allow only two baserunners in total. However, the bats woke up in the third inning for both teams, starting with the Oaks single run in the top of the frame via an error that allowed a Menlo runner from third to score.

The Warriors wasted no time earning that run back and more in their bottom half of the inning, as a leadoff single from sophomore shortstop Cambria Kerze was capitalized on when she stole back-to-back bases, then scored on a triple from sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer. Junior catcher Morgan Gleeson then gave the Warriors their first lead against the Oaks this morning with a triple of her own into right field, scoring Fischer and providing Corban with a 2-1 lead through three innings.

Menlo tied the contest back at 2-all the very next inning, utilizing an inning-opening triple and sacrifice fly to left field to even the playing field once again. Nevertheless, the fifth inning proved to be the game changer for Corban, as the Warriors went on to score five runs in the bottom of the frame, thanks to the heroics of junior second baseman Samantha Martinez.

After the Navy and Gold loaded the bases via two walks and and a hit by pitch, junior first baseman Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina drew another walk to force in a run, bringing Martinez to the plate in a two-out, bases loaded scenario. With the opportunity to blow this game wide open, Martinez ripped a line drive down the right field line that rolled directly past the route that the right fielder took to cut off the ball, allowing Martinez and all three Warrior' baserunners to come around to score in what was now a 7-2 lead for Corban.

The Oaks earned a run back in the top of the sixth inning with another triple/single combination, but the damage had already been done to provide the Navy and Gold with enough momentum to close this game out down the stretch, thus earning their first victory of the 2023 season.

Warriors' junior starting pitcher Alise Olson pitched a complete game of 7.0 innings to allow three runs on five hits, walking just one batter and striking out another to earn her first win on the season.

Martinez needed only one hit to earn Player of the Game accolades, registering all four of her RBI and solo run scored in her fifth inning grand slam. Fischer, Gleeson, and Kerze were responsible for the other three hits, with Fischer scoring two runs herself as well.

Oaks' starting pitcher Ayanna Rubio took the loss to split the two games against the Warriors, allowing seven runs on four hits in 5.0 innings pitched while striking out a pair. Free bases was Rubio's downfall in the end, as she allowed three walks and two hit batters that would eventually result in multiple runs scored for Corban. Relief pitcher Gabby de Leon threw the final inning of defense for Menlo to the tune of no hits, no runs, and no walks.

Five different Oaks' batters registered a single hit against Olson, led by centerfielder Alyssa Rodne's solo hit, one run scored and single RBI.

Game 2 – #21 Jessup 9, Corban 3

The battle of the CCC and GSAC Warriors returned for another installment this afternoon, with Corban looking to utilize the momentum from their win against Menlo to carry into their matchup with No. 21-ranked Jessup.

The Navy and Gold allowed the opening run once again to Jessup, as the hometown squad utilized back-to-back singles and a throwing error to score the first run of the game. Despite another first blood deficit, Corban responded in the second inning to take a brief lead against the No. 21-ranked team in the nation, scoring three runs on a ground out by freshman catcher Kailey Betz and single from freshman leftfielder Josie Landis.

Jessup only needed an inning to mount their comeback against Corban, tacking on three runs via a triple, fielding error, and single into right field. Corban freshman starting pitcher Vanessa Hulett-Quinones was chased from the inning following the third run in the frame, paving the way for junior relief pitcher Sage Vanterpool to take to the circle.

Vanterpool would escape the inning on the next batter but would get tagged for two runs in the bottom of the fourth after walking to force a bases loaded scenario for junior lefty Madison Russell to attempt to navigate her way out of. The hometown Warriors flexed their offense over the next five batters, scoring five more runs to take a dominate 9-3 lead.

The Corban offense grew cold over the final three innings of play, managing just two hits and failing to score in what would turn out to be Jessup's series sweep over the Navy and Gold.

Hulett-Quinones, Vanterpool, and Russell would combine for 4.0 innings, allowing nine runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking six batters. Sophomore relief pitcher Emmaleena Wood finished the game out for Corban with 2.0 innings pitched, allowing just one hit in the process.

Gleeson was responsible for a third of the offense in game two, tallying two hits in three at bats. Landis and Betz earned the only RBI for the visiting Warriors, while three different student-athletes came around to score.

Jessup starting pitcher Serena Navarrete improved to 2-0 on the season by allowing three runs on four hits through 4.0 innings, striking out a trio of Corban batters along the way. Relief pitcher Bella MacFarlane closed out the contest with 3.0 innings of work, allowing two hits and striking out a pair.

Corban Softball will hit the road for one more road doubleheader next weekend, as they'll hop the northern border to battle NCAA DII Central Washington University (1-4, 0-0) at 11am and 1pm PST.

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