FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Corban University Softball team struggled to score runs after scoring three in the first two innings of game one against NCAA DIII Pacific University, as the Boxers allowed just three hits all day long to the Warriors in 6-3 and 4-0 victories on their own home field.
GAME 1 – Pacific 6, Corban 3
After struggling to score runs in their season-opening trip to California two weeks ago, the Warriors (1-9) put a stop to that notion by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, as the top two batters in Corban's lineup reached base and came around to score thanks to an RBI groundout by graduate student first baseman Sydney Spickelmier and sacrifice fly by redshirt junior shortstop Cami Kerze.
However, the Boxers (4-6) battled back and tied the contest in their bottom half of the first, scoring two runs when a runner reached via error and was then singled home for an unearned run.
The Navy and Gold snagged their first hit of the game in the top of the third to score the go-ahead run, as sophomore leftfielder Josie Landis launched an RBI double over the head of Pacific's centerfielder but was thrown out trying to stretch her double into a triple to end the inning with Corban leading 3-2.
Pacific was able to tie the game once again in the bottom of the fourth inning and threatened to score even more after loading the bases with just a single out in the frame. After relieving Warriors' senior starting pitcher Alise Olson, sophomore reliever Kate Banks only yielded one more run on a bases-loaded walk before she was struck out the final batter of the inning to limit the damage to a 4-3 deficit after four innings of play.
Scoring three runs in the first two innings was a great start for the Warriors but being held without a run for the remainder of game one resulted in the eventual 6-3 loss in the doubleheader opener. Olson was charged with the loss after allowing four runs off three hits, walking one batter and striking out two more. Banks allowed a single run off one hit and three walks, while sophomore relief pitcher Kate Banks saw one run cross the plate on two hits.
Boxers' starting pitcher Haleigh Colfelt tossed a complete game two-hit performance to pick up her first win of the season, allowing three runs with just a single walk. Despite not striking out a single batter, Colfelt relied on her defense to escape each Warrior threat to secure the game one victory.
Landis and Kerze secured the only hits of the opener for Corban, while Spickelmier joined Kerze in the RBI category to lead the Navy and Gold offense. Senior rightfielder Samantha Martinez and junior centerfielder Jody Fischer scored the first two runs of the game, while junior second baseman Alexis Figueroa came around to score the third.
Pacific third baseman Chloe Knepp was responsible for half of her team's base hits in game one, reaching base safely in all three at-bats, scoring a run and collecting two RBI along the way. Leadoff batter and rightfielder Michelle Winfield tacked on two hits and two RBI as well.
GAME 2 – Pacific 4, Corban 0
The Boxers carried their offensive energy into game two of today's doubleheader by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, resulting in an early deficit for the Warriors in their final contest with the DIII program.
The offensive woes from their eight-game road trip in Cali crept into the second game that would eventually result in their 4-0 loss and doubleheader sweep by Pacific, as the Navy and Gold mustered only one hit the entire contest off the bat of sophomore rightfielder Gianna Redman.
Pacific spread five hits out over five separate batters to conclude their Sunday sweep, led by Winfield's two runs scored and first baseman Carli Zanassi's solo hit, run scored, and RBI.
Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Vanessa Quinones accepted her second loss on the season after allowing four runs and five hits across 6.0 innings, striking out six batters and walking only one to put her team in a position to win, but just not finding the run support she needed.
Boxers' starting pitcher Karlie Espinoza tossed a complete game shutout of Corban with just the single hit allowed, walking a pair of hitters, and striking out three in total.
The Warriors will begin conference play next weekend in snowy Montana against the University of Providence (2-3), with their four game series beginning on Friday, March 2nd at 1pm MT/12pm PT.
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