HELENA, Mont. – A struggling day at the plate in the circle for the Corban University Softball team resulted in the Warriors dropping the first two games of their four-game series with the University of Providence, as the Argos took 11-1 and 8-0 decisions that were both cut short in the fifth inning due to run-rulings.
"Offense will provide the opportunity to compete in games moving forward as we continue to make adjustments," Warriors' head coach Danyelle Huber stated.
GAME 1 – Providence 11, Corban 1 (5 Innings)
The host Argos (3-3, 2-0) took a slight 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning to score the opening runs of the series, as a wild pitch and RBI single on back-to-back pitches with runners in scoring position netted Providence their first lead over the Warriors (1-11, 0-2).
Corban snagged a run back in the top of second inning when junior second baseman Alexis Figueroa reached base on an error and made her way to third on a groundout and stolen base. Junior centerfielder Jody Fischer then singled her home with a chopper to shortstop, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with plenty of innings left to work with.
Providence increased their lead back to two runs in the bottom of the third via a leadoff single followed by a run-scoring double, with the Argos eventually adding eight more runs to their total to lead 11-1 after a rough inning filled with fielding errors, multiple passed balls and wild pitches, with three different pitching appearances by Corban to conclude the first 3.0 innings of play.
The immense damage from the third inning was too much to overcome through the final run-ruled frames of game one, with the Argos taking the 11-1 final score and their first conference win in as many tries this season.
Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Vanesa Quinones accepted the loss in today's doubleheader opener after allowing five runs on eleven hits in 3.2 innings pitched, while senior relief pitcher Alise Olson and sophomore relief pitcher Amy Jankowski combined for six runs allowed, three of which were earned, off five hits.
Providence starting pitcher Deven Creech picked up the victory by allowing just one runs on four hits, walking a pair of batters and striking out four in 81 total pitches for the complete game win.
Corban's offense tallied four hits in the series opener, spread around four different student-athletes that included Fischer, Figueroa, sophomore designated player Gianna Redman, and senior rightfielder Samantha Martinez. Figueroa scored the lone Warrior run of the contest.
Five different Argos secured multi-hit performances in game one, led by Creech, centerfielder Madi Moore, and leftfielder Gracie Fleming who all secured three-hits apiece at the plate. Creech gave herself plenty of gap while in the circle with three RBI on her own, while Fleming added two more as well.
GAME 2 – Providence 8, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
Providence kept their energy up throughout the brief doubleheader break and immediately scored six runs in the first two innings of game two, eventually taking the decision 8-0 after the Warrior lineup struggled both offensively and defensively all day long. Argos' starting pitcher Madi Moore tossed a complete-game shutout of the Warriors, allowing no hits over 5.0 innings with 11 strikeouts of Corban batters with one walk and one hit by pitch.
Sophomore starting pitcher Kate Banks was tagged for eight runs on seven hits, seven walks and one strikeout in 3.0 innings of work, while senior relief pitcher Madison Russell secured the final three outs of the ballgame without allowing a baserunner.
Argos' third baseman Azia Umphrey collected two of her team's seven total hits in game two, all while shortstop Sydnee Weber posted a game-high two RBI on her two-run double.
Corban softball will be back in action tomorrow morning against the same Providence program, with first pitch scheduled for 11am/1pm MT, 10am/12pm PT.
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