SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Softball team (7-21, 5-12) struggled to find the defense needed to salvage their shortened series with Carroll College (12-15, 8-7), dropping game three 6-3 before the final game was cancelled due to weather in the Willamette Valley.
"We brought a lot more energy today," Corban Head Coach Danyelle Huber shared. "Vanesa pitched her heart out this weekend. Hitting is a momentum thing, it'll come."
The Saints quickly jumped out to a sizeable lead in the very first inning, tallying five hits in the first six batters to charge Warriors' freshman starting pitcher Vanesa Hulett-Quinones with four runs in the top of the first inning.
Corban earned a run back in the bottom of the second frame despite not recording a hit, as junior left fielder Samantha Martinez was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then advanced to second and third base on a ground out and stolen base. She scored three pitches later via a wild pitch that went to the backstop.
Another two runs would cross the plate for Carroll in the top of the third, as the double-digit hit mark slowly approached for the visiting team in what was now a 6-1 lead.
Slowly but surely, the Warriors chipped away at the five-run deficit, scoring a single run in both the fourth and fifth innings on an RBI single by junior first baseman Sarah Bradshaw and a fielder's choice that allowed a runner to scoot home from junior catcher Morgan Gleeson.
However, following the rain delay of roughly 30 minutes, the Saints were able to buckle down and prevent any further baserunners from reaching home base, taking a 6-3 victory in game three back to Montana with them, as the fourth game was eventually cancelled due to rain.
Hulett-Quinones suffered her eighth defeat of the season by allowing six runs, five of which were earned, with 14 hits and two strikeouts while walking none.
Saints' starting pitcher Abbie Amend earned her fourth win of the year by allowing three runs on five hits, striking out 10 batters and walking just one.
Sophomore center fielder Jody Fischer extended her hitting streak with another base knock today, while four other student-athletes picked up solo hit performances as well.
Left fielder Kirsten Norris and catcher Annie Davidson each recorded 3-for-4 afternoons, with each of them logging a solo RBI in the process. First baseman Kaitlynn Ayers finally recorded an out for the first time this weekend, but not before picking up another two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.
The Warriors will now take the spring break week to prepare for another NAIA Top 25 foe in No. 5-ranked Southern Oregon University (20-4, 10-1), with first pitch of the series scheduled for next Friday at 2pm PDT.
Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter l Instagram l Snapchat l YouTube l Email
Download our App: iOS (iPhone/iPad) l Android
