GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Corban University Softball team (10-34, 8-22) was unable to overcome back-to-back late game comeback wins by the University of Providence (11-31, 6-24) as the visiting team on the Argos's Senior Day, suffering 4-2 and 3-2 losses to end the 2023 regular season.
"I love this team with my whole heart," Warriors' Head Coach Danyelle Huber shared when asked to provide her final thoughts of the 2023 slate. "While we didn't get the results we had hoped, there was a lot of good things that happened throughout the season. Proud of every single one of these girls, they fought hard until the very end."
Game 1 – UP 4, Corban 2
Each starting pitcher managed to pitch two innings of scoreless softball before the Warriors finally cracked through in the top of the third, as sophomore centerfielder Jody Fischer reached first safely on an infield single, then scored the very next pitch when graduate student right fielder Madison Wyllie cranked an RBI-double to left field. Wyllie then came around to score on a single to centerfield off the bat of freshman shortstop Kailey Betz.
The Argos tied everything back up in the bottom of the fourth, as centerfielder Karlie David reached base on an error and scored the next at-bat when first baseman Macy Mangold doubled to left field. Mangold then scored herself on a fielder's choice to knot the contest at 2-all.
Just like in their series opener yesterday, Providence was able to utilize a rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead and held it through the final inning, allowing them to clinch the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) series entering the fourth non-conference finale to their seasons.
Freshman starting pitcher Vanesa Hulett-Quinones fought through 3.1 innings to allow two runs on four hits, while junior relief pitcher Alise Olson was charged with the loss after striking out five batters but allowing the game-winning runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Argos' starting pitcher Carter Thornton earned herself a senior day victory by allowing two runs on five hits, striking out a game-high nine batters and walking none.
The only multi-hit performance in game one of the last doubleheader came from Wyllie, as she and the other top two batters in the lineup, Fischer and Betz, combined for four of the five team hits.
Thornton also knocked in the game-winning runs to showcase both the defensive and offensive sides of her game, as her solo hit, two RBI appearance was enough for a win. David was the only Argo with multiple hits in the contest.
Game 2 – UP 3, Corban 2
A pair of unearned runs crossed the plate in the bottom for the first for the Argos in what continued to be an error riddled weekend for both teams, as Mangold and second baseman Ryen Palmer each forced the Warriors into committing errors to secure a 2-0 lead for their team.
It took four innings for Corban to reset the contest once again, as an unearned run in the top of the second and an RBI double by Wyllie in the top of the fifth tied everyone at 2-2 with two innings left to play.
The eerily similar results continued into game four for each team, as Providence's catcher Taylor Mathews blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to put her team ahead just like in yesterday's nightcap. Her homer would stand as the last run scored of the CCC set, providing the Argos with a 3-1 series victory in the final weekend of scheduled games for both teams.
Olson was responsible for the loss in game two by allowing the game-winning runner to reach base in the fifth inning before Hulett-Quinones entered to shut down the Argos for just one hit in the final 1.2 innings.
Argos' starting pitcher Jaden Williams earned her first win of the 2023 season after allowing two runs on four hits in 5.0 innings of work, walking two batters along the way. Creech secured the first Providence save of the year by pitching 2.0 innings of relief with a clean slate to her name.
Fischer dropped a 2-for-4 stat line in game four of the series, scoring a run along the way. Wyllie and junior first baseman Sarah Bradshaw concluded their collegiate careers with a base hit each to round out the Warriors' offensive showing.
Mathews reached base safely on all three at-bats by earning three hits, scoring two runs and plating an RBI in the process. Mangold also debuted a multi-hit game with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.
Corban Softball ends the 2023 season with a 10-34 overall record, going 8-22 in CCC contests and finishes at eighth overall in one of the deepest conferences in the NAIA. They graduate four student-athletes and look to return a strong majority of their lineup for next year's playoff push.
Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter l Instagram l Snapchat l YouTube l Email
Download our App: iOS (iPhone/iPad) l Android
