FOLSOM, Calif. – After a pair of tough offensive results yesterday, the Corban University Softball program took to the field once again today against the same Menlo College and Jessup University teams once again, falling 10-1 versus the Oaks in six frames before an 11-0 rout by the host Warriors in a five-inning game.
"I thought we had some silver linings from today's results that will help provide us with some areas of growth moving into tomorrow's doubleheader," Warriors' head coach Danyelle Huber stated. "First, we were able to make good contact on the ball at the plate and scored our first run of the season. Our defense worked incredibly hard, and our outfielders made some great plays. Areas of emphasis moving forward will be stringing more base hits together and working through situational hitting."
GAME 1 – Menlo 10, Corban 1 (6 Innings)
The Oaks (6-2) were able to double their offensive output against the Warriors (-) in just the opening inning of their Saturday rematch, scoring four runs in the first frame thanks to a bases-clearing double and RBI single.
Menlo tacked on two more in the top of the third and another in the fourth to earn a 7-0 lead, with the Corban offense struggling to get on base while the Oaks continued to earn timely hits with runners in scoring position.
The Navy and Gold scored their first run of the 2024 season in the bottom of the fifth with no outs, as a leadoff single by junior catcher Alicia Chavez was capitalized on with an RBI single off the bat of junior second baseman Alexis Figueroa, scoring Chavez from second after the Warriors' catcher advanced on an error.
However, three runs in the top of the sixth from Menlo allowed the designated visiting team to run-rule the Warriors after Oaks' relief pitcher Brianna Gonzalez struck out the final three batters of the game. Menlo's starting pitcher, Shelby White, earned the win in today's tourney opener by allowing five hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings with a trio of strikeouts.
Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Kate Banks (0-2) was unable to escape the first inning and was charged with four runs off two hits and two walks, resulting in the game one loss. Sophomore relief pitcher Vanesa Quinones allowed six more runs over her 5.2 innings of action with ten hits and a game-high five strikeouts of Menlo hitters.
Corban's lineup spread out all five of their base hits among four different student-athletes, with Chavez scoring their lone run and Figueroa the team's single RBI. Junior centerfielder Jody Fischer, redshirt junior shortstop Cami Kerze, and junior designated player Breanne Cox earned the other Warrior base knocks.
Oaks' leftfielder Aliya Lubrin was the spark at the top of the lineup that Menlo needed to earn their second win of the weekend over the Navy and Gold, tallying three hits and scoring three runs in four at-bats. Catcher Maya Bivens-Sommerville, rightfielder Jolena Velasquez, and second baseman Alexia Lozano all secured multi-hit performances, while desginated player Makayla Mentzer drove in four RBI with one hit and a run scored.
GAME 2 – Jessup 11, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
As opposed to yesterday's full seven-inning game between the two Warrior programs where Jessup managed just five runs while Corban was held off the scoreboard with timely outs by their mascot doppelgangers, today's rematch was all Jessup in a run-rule shortened affair.
Scoring eleven runs in 3.0 innings is all Jessup needed to secure their fifth win of the season, utilizing a six-run opening frame to knock the wind out of Corban's sails and cruise to the weekend sweep of the visiting Warriors.
Navy and Gold senior starting pitcher Madison Russell (0-1) struggled in her 1.1 innings of her first appearance this year, allowing seven runs off five hits with three walks and a strikeout. Senior relief pitcher Alise Olson was tagged for four runs off four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings, while sophomore righthander Amy Jankowski tossed a single inning and stuck out one Jessup batter with one hit against her resume.
Jessup's starting pitcher Bella MacFarlane was dominant in her start over Corban, allowing just two hits in 5.0 innings with a game-high four strikeouts and two walks in a 59-pitch outing.
Corban senior third baseman Sarah Parker and senior pinch hitter California Johnson were the only visiting Warriors to reach base safely with base hits in game two of their Saturday doubleheader, with Fischer and third baseman Isabel Carattini each earning walks.
Three different Jessup hitters clinched at least two hits in today's contest, highlighted first baseman Sarah Giles' standout day with three hits, four RBI, and two runs scored in three at-bats.
Day three of the Warriors' northern California trip continues tomorrow with a doubleheader against Westcliff University (1-5), with first pitch times scheduled for 10am and 12pm.
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