CALDWELL, Idaho – After leading for multiple innings and finding the offense they lacked in yesterday's doubleheader, the Corban University Softball team (7-18, 5-9) couldn't keep the momentum going in the circle to hold off the No. 12-ranked College of Idaho Yotes (24-2, 10-2) from sweeping the four-game with 9-1 and 8-0 victories at Symms Field earlier this afternoon.
"We came ready to play this morning and at one point led the game and had C of I shut down offensively," Corban Head Coach Danyelle Huber shared. "The final score really doesn't reflect well how they played in game one. To really compete in this conference, hits need to be strung together in the same inning to see those results come through."
Game 1 – College of Idaho 9, Corban 1 (5 Innings)
The Warriors were able to strike first in game one thanks to the bread and butter of their lineup in leadoff hitter and sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer bunting her way to first base, followed by a stolen base and then advancing to third base on a sacrifice bunt from junior designated player Morgan Gleeson. Fischer scored the next at-bat, as freshman catcher Kailey Betz lifted a sacrifice flyball to centerfield, allowing Fischer to tag up and score to give Corban a 1-0 advantage over the hometown Yotes.
Despite holding C of I scoreless for the first two innings, the Yotes managed to tie the game in the bottom of the third, as shortstop Haley Loffer doubled with one out, followed by a stolen base and a wild pitch that brought her home on a strikeout swinging.
The Yotes took the lead the very next inning, scoring on a double from designated player Lena Zahniser that allowed her to trade places at the plate with right fielder Lexi Navarrete. Corban was able to escape the inning with minimal damage, trailing 2-1 and needing to string together some more hits, despite having just as many as C of I through four innings of play.
A closely contested game was blown wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Yotes strung together five hits to score seven runs and force the run rule in a walk-off three-run single by left fielder Brinley Iverson that closed the game out 9-1 as the final score.
Warriors' freshman starting pitcher Vanesa Hulett-Quinones pitched 4.0 innings of two-run ball before a rough fifth inning cost her the opportunity at a win, allowing a total of eight runs on nine hits, walking two batters and striking out three more. Junior relief pitcher Sage Vanterpool came in to secure a strikeout but allowed the final run to cross the plate that closed out the contest.
Yotes' starting pitcher Hannah McNerney earned her second win in as many days by allowing just one run off five hits, striking out two hitters along the way.
The Corban offense was led by junior second baseman Samantha Martinez, who secured the only multi-hit game with a 2-for-2 performance, while Fischer secured another hit with the only run scored for the Navy and Gold.
Navarrete and third baseman Kaily Christensen both recorded two hits for the Yotes, while Iverson led the team with a game-high three RBI on her only hit.
Game 2 – College of Idaho 8, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
It wasn't until the bottom of the third inning that a run was scored by either squad, as the Yotes saw the first four hitters reach base safely, resulting in a massive eight-run inning that was riddled with hits and walks. C of I six hits and even left the bases loaded to end the inning, with the Warriors needing to score at least one run to avoid a possible run rule in game four.
In their final last ditch effort, the Navy and Gold loaded the bases with three-straight singles with two outs, but a fielder's choice at second base ended their efforts to finish the second game 8-0 and complete the sweep for the Yotes.
Corban sophomore starting pitcher Emmaleena Wood was tagged for seven runs off six hits in 4.0 innings pitched, walking three batters while Vanterpool entered to allow three more walks, a hit and a run scored.
Starting pitcher Annie Polster endured multiple baserunners that threatened to score against C of I in her complete game, working around every scenario to clinch her first win of the season. She allowed seven hits and walked no batters along the way.
Gleeson hammered two hits to lead the Warriors with a multi-hit game, while Fischer, Martinez, and Wyllie all tallied base knocks once again in game two this afternoon.
Not a single Yote managed to reach base safely more than once via a hit against Wood and Vanterpool, yet seven hits was all they needed to score eight runs in a single inning. Second baseman Chloe Flerchinger knocked in a game-high three RBI while scoring a run, while centerfielder Hattie Hruza added two RBI on one hit and one run scored.
The Warriors return home next weekend to host Carroll College (7-12, 3-6) in a four-game series at Warrior Field, looking to bounce back into the win column against another CCC foe.
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