EUGENE, Ore. – It took a convincing effort from the Corban University Softball team (8-28, 6-18) to earn their first road conference win of the season, defeating the Bushnell University Beacons (11-29, 7-17) and earning the season sweep with a 13-1 win in six innings via run-rule, while the fourth and final non-conference game was canceled in the bottom of the second inning due to heavy rainfall and dusk growing near.
"The bats came alive today!" Corban Head Coach Danyelle Huber said shortly after her team's series-deciding win. "Vanesa brought her A-game in the circle. Overall a great team effort and team win."
Game 1 – Corban 13, Bushnell 1
The Warriors were able to make the most of their opportunities in the box to start the contest, as sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer was able to kick the game off by reaching via an error, followed by a single by graduate student right fielder Madison Wyllie that put both herself and Fischer in scoring position. Junior first baseman Paia'ala Wilcox-Molina then blasted a ball to deep left-center field, allowing both runners to score with ease.
A single by freshman shortstop Kailey Betz allowed freshman pinch runner Jaden South to score in the replacement of Wilcox-Molina, before junior third baseman Sarah Parker singled to centerfield that gave junior designated player Samantha Martinez enough time to score from second base and give the Warriors a 4-0 lead after the top of the first.
After a scoreless bottom of the first inning, Fischer found her way on board again to lead off the inning with a bunt single. Wyllie then powered a triple to right-centerfield that allowed Fischer to trot home safely and extend the Warriors' lead to 5-0.
The Navy and Gold added another run in the top of the third inning, as a bases loaded scenario for Wyllie allowed everyone to advance a base when the Beacons committed their second error of the game. Wyllie's third trip on base of the game in as many innings now gave her visiting team a 6-0 lead.
Bushnell managed to score their first run of the game in the bottom of the third on an RBI triple from right fielder Ericka Allen with one out, but Warriors' freshman starting pitcher Vanesa Hulett-Quinones was able to induce back-to-back groundouts to escape the inning with just the one run for the Beacons.
Wyllie and the Warriors were able to enact the run-rule in the top of the sixth, as she led the inning off with yet another triple and then came around to score on the Beacons' third error of the day. Corban went on to score an impressive six runs in the frame, more than doubling their score and taking a commanding 13-1 advantage in the third conference game against Bushnell this season.
Hulett-Quinones settled in and managed to find the final three outs needed in order to secure their first road win of the 2023 season in style. Her complete game was highlighted by allowing only one run on six hits while walking none.
Beacons' starting pitcher Sam Silver and her defense struggled from inning one on their ability to induce outs, as she was lit up for 13 runs on 14 hits, striking out a game-high four batters and walking two more. Due to the fielding errors by Bushnell, only seven of those runs crossed as earned against Silver.
Wyllie powered the Corban lineup with a 3-for-4 performance in the box, securing two RBI and scoring two runs as well. Ketz, Parker, and freshman second baseman Berkeley Porter each put together multi-hit games as well, with all three responsible for either an RBI or run scored along the way. Only one of the nine Warriors to step to the plate were unable to secure a hit against Silver.
Allen was the lone offensive threat for the Beacons in game one of today's doubleheader, batting a perfect 3-for-3 and logging an RBI. Third baseman Bryana Yoshida scored Bushnell's only run.
Game 2 – Corban 3, Bushnell 2 (Canceled in Bottom of Second Due to Weather)
Corban struck first in the top of the first inning of the non-conference contest with the Beacons, junior catcher Morgan Gleeson singled through the right side of the infield to score South, who was running for Wilcox-Molina, to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
The Beacons immediately responded in their offensive half of the inning, as first baseman Hannah Tennant singled into right field to score left fielder Madison Steelman as an unearned runner.
After Martinez reached safely on yet another Bushnell fielding error, junior left fielder Sarah Bradshaw singled into right center field, allowing Martinez to score after Bradshaw was able to deke the defense into advancing to second and give Martinez enough time to slide in safely at home. A subsequent stolen base for Bradshaw and sacrifice fly from Parker allowed her to score from third base and increase the Warriors' lead to 3-1.
Once the Beacons scored a run and had two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the second, the rain started to come down with authority at Rich Schwab Field, forcing both head coaches and the umpires to make the call to cancel the rest of the non-conference slate, giving the Warriors the season sweep over the Beacons.
The Corban Softball team will now focus on their final homestand of the 2023 regular season, as they're set to host the No. 25-ranked Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers (24-14, 14-9) in a four-game set that will serve as the Warriors' Senior Weekend series at Warrior Field.
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