ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Corban University softball team traveled to Ellensburg for a tough pre-season match up with the NCAA Division II Central Washington University Wildcats. Hits and errors plagued the Navy and Gold defense in the completive series.

Head Coach Danyelle Huber commented, "The Corban Warriors learned a lot today from the first game to the second game. We made a lot of great improvements. We are ready and excited for conference play."

In game one the Wildcats came out with their bats ablaze. The home team recorded 11 hits and 11 runs in the opening contest. Alise Olson started in the circle for the Navy and Gold, but the CWU offense, combined with errors from the Warrior defense, made her time in the circle short lived.

Junior transfer Madison Russell came in to relieve Olson, but struggled to find the strike zone. She walked seven and the Cats plated six runs in Russell's two and two-thirds innings.

Freshman Amy Jankowski was the closer for Corban and was able to get out of the inning when Jillian Hampson lined into a double play. Corban used that momentum to try to get something started on offense in the top of the fifth. Berkeley Porter had a leadoff walk, but the visiting squad was unable to move her around.

The Warriors recorded three hits in the game thanks to Kailey Betz, Morgan Gleeson, and Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina.

Game two saw Corban's sticks wake up at the plate and a clean defensive game, but it was not enough to best the Wildcats.

Emmaleena Wood tossed three and two-thirds innings for the Navy and Gold recording a strikeout, four free passes, and eight hits.

Corban showed their true grit in the top of the third inning. The Warriors got on the board when Gleeson placed a bunt down the firstbase line, scoring veteran Sarah Parker in a close play at the plate.

Two batters later, Chas Walch singled to center scoring Josie Landis before aggressive baserunning resulted in an out at home. The Warriors scattered five other hits but could not string them together.

Central's Ashlee Laver tossed a complete game allowing only six hits and two runs, and striking out four. The Wildcats took game two, 7-2.

Corban will return to action next weekend in Klamath Falls against the No. 7-ranked Owls. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.