KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – What was once a simple three-run deficit quickly went downhill for the Corban University Softball team (1-8, 0-1) this afternoon, who kicked off their Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) season against the No. 7-ranked Oregon Tech Owls in Klamath Falls, falling 16-2 in five innings.
"OIT is a great hitting team and we struggled to contain them. We learned a lot in our one game today and will come back tomorrow with another opportunity to show what we're capable of," Warriors' Head Coach Danyelle Huber shared.
The Owls struck first on their home field in their opening offensive frame, scoring two quick runs on a single, walk, and double that allowed both baserunners to come around to score with ease. After a groundout allowed the third run of the inning to score, first baseman Puakea Milbourne launched a two-out homer to cap off a four-run inning.
Oregon Tech added another solo run in the bottom of the second, but the Warriors were able to find their footing for a bit in the top of the third, earning two runs back in their only offensive frame of the contest. After freshman leftfielder Josie Landis doubled with two outs and stole third during the next at bat, sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer singled her home to plate the first run of the game for Corban, then scored a run herself after speeding around the basepaths via a right field double by junior catcher Morgan Gleeson, leading to a 5-2 deficit entering the bottom of the third inning.
However, scoring those two runs appeared to have awoken the beast from within the No. 7-ranked Owls, as they exploded for 10 runs on 10 hits in the bottom of the third inning, chasing two Corban pitchers from the game and blowing this contest wide open at 15-2. Another small ball run in the bottom of the fourth inning would seal the deal for Oregon Tech, who picked up their fifth-straight win and opened conference play with a decisive 16-2 victory.
Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Emmaleena Wood struggled to induce outs in her third loss on the season, allowing four runs off three hits through just 0.2 innings pitched. The bullpen pitching staff of freshman Vanessa Hulett-Quinones, senior Alise Olson, and freshman Amy Jankowski combined for 12 runs allowed on 15 hits, walking a pair of batters, and hitting another en route to the Owls' blowout victory.
Owls' starting pitcher McKenzie Staub allowed just one hiccup inning to the Warriors, ultimately finishing the day with two runs allowed on three hits in 4.0 innings of work, striking out seven along the way. Relief pitcher Carli Moore threw the final inning for OIT, inducing a quick three batter inning to close out their conference home opener.
Centerfielder Lexi Klum tallied a game-high four hits in four at bats for Oregon Tech, scoring three runs and tallying two RBI to do it all in the Owls' win. Four more OIT student-athletes earned multi-hit games, including Milbourne and her three RBI afternoon.
The Warriors are back in action for the final two games of the shortened three-game series tomorrow afternoon against the Owls, with opportunities to break their losing streak at 12pm and 2pm PST.
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