GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Back-to-back final inning blown wins between the Corban University Softball team (10-32, 8-21) and the University of Providence Argos (9-31, 5-24) were the feature acts in the first doubleheader of their four-game series, as the home team came from behind to win game one 4-3, while the Warriors posted six-unanswered runs in the top of the seventh of game two for a day one split.
"First game things just didn't click at the right time," Warriors' Head Coach Danyelle Huber stated. "The girls found their timing and stride to pull through with a big comeback in game two. Bradshaw came swinging today and was clutch for us. Izzy's bunt that brought her all the way home started the rally to win the game as well. We keep getting better every pitch and want to finish the season strong."
Game 1 – UP 4, Corban 3
After a scoreless first inning by both teams, junior first baseman Sarah Bradshaw blasted a pitch to deep centerfield and over the fence, her first home run of the year that gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Sophomore second baseman Cambria Kerze drew a hit by pitch on the next at-bat, then scored two batters later on an RBI-triple off the bat of junior catcher Morgan Gleeson.
The Argos answered in their bottom half of the second inning, scoring an unearned run via a walk and an error that saw third baseman Azia-Rain Umphrey cross the plate.
Junior designated player Sage Vanterpool earned her first hit of the season in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single that scored junior third baseman Sarah Parker, pushing the Corban lead back to a pair at 3-1.
Providence once again answered a half inning later, as designated player Carter Thornton launched a sacrifice fly into right field that allowed first baseman Macy Mangold to skirt home from third base.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Argos managed to score another pair of unearned runs via a pair of fielding errors that came around to score, as Providence took a 4-3 lead into the top of the seventh, needing just three outs to secure the series opener on their senior week.
What was once a vibrant Warrior' offense became uncharacteristically quiet over the final inning, as the Argos induced three-straight flyouts to earn the game one victory over Corban.
Junior starting pitcher Alise Olson received a no-decision after pitching 3.1 innings and allowing two runs on a single hit, walking three batters and striking out a pair. Warriors' freshman relief pitcher Vanesa Hulett-Quinones was responsible for the loss after the game-winning unearned runs crossed under her watch, striking out a trio of batters and allowing only two hits.
Argos' starting pitcher Jaden Williams was also not responsible for a decision in game one, as she was pulled after 3.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits. The win from today's initial contest was assigned to relief pitch Deven Creech, who was the last on the mound in a 4.0 inning, solo hit, solo run performance with three punchouts.
Bradshaw, Vanterpool, and Gleeson all led the Corban offense with a base hit and RBI apiece in five total team hits for the game.
Creech tallied the game-winning RBI to help herself out on the mound, as right fielder Kolbi Wood and catcher Taylor Mathews each secured a hit as well.
Game 2 – Corban 9, UP 5
The Warriors struck first once again in game two, scoring their first unearned run of the series thanks to a fielding error by the Argos to take a slight 1-0 lead after the top of the first.
Providence also kicked off game two in the same spirit as their initial contest with the Navy and Gold, answering with an RBI double to center field by Umphrey before a bases loaded walk and another fielding error allowed three more runs to score to give the hometown team a 4-1 lead after one inning of play.
Corban earned a run back in the top of the fourth inning, as Hulett-Quinones came around to score on a groundout by Bradshaw. However, that run was then nullified in the bottom of the same inning on a solo homer from Mathews.
Hulett-Quinones returned the favor in the top of the sixth, grounding out to third base and giving sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer an opportunity to score on an Argos throwing error following the play.
In a day riddled with errors, the mistakes reared their ugly head once again to put Corban back into this contest, as freshman pinch hitter Isabel Carattini reached first base safely, moved to second, then third, and all the way around to score on a little league home run that scored Bradshaw in the process to tie this contest at 5-all in the top of the seventh inning.
With the bases now loaded, graduate student right fielder Madison Wyllie stepped to the plate needing a quality at-bat to reclaim the lead for the Warriors, which she managed to do on a base hit up the middle to score two runs. She then scored along with a fourth runner on the next at-bat, as Hulett-Quinones once again reached via an error.
Now in the same situation they allowed the Argos to have in game one, the Warriors were able to secure a come-from-behind victory when Hulett-Quinones struck out the final batter with the bases loaded to split the day 1-1 overall and manage to even the series up.
Hulett-Quinones redeemed herself from game one by pitching almost a complete game in relief of game two, tossing 6.1 innings and allowing just one run on six hits, walking a duo of batters and striking out just as many. Sophomore starting pitcher Emmaleena Wood lasted 0.2 innings after seeing four runs, two of which were earned, cross home plate on two hits and two walks.
A complete game effort from Providence's starting pitcher Carter Thornton wasn't enough to clinch out the doubleheader sweep on their home field, as she took her 12th loss of the season after allowing nine runs on five hits, walking a pair and striking out a game-high seven batters.
The Warriors only needed five hits in game two to secure the victory, led by Wyllie's two-RBI double and Hulett-Quinones earning three RBI despite not reaching base safely.
Umphrey and Mathews were the only multi-hit student-athletes in the night cap game, each smashing two base hits and an RBI.
The Warriors and Argos will each complete their 2023 seasons tomorrow on Providence's Senior Day at the Multi-Event Complex, with a CCC and non-conference game both on the schedule starting at 11am MDT/10am PDT.
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