CALDWELL, Idaho – Facing their second-straight NAIA Top 25 team in as many weeks, the Corban University Softball team struggled to compete with their conference foe from Caldwell, as No. 22-ranked College of Idaho completed back-to-back run-rule victories over the Warriors in games three and four of their series to sweep both the conference and non-conference matchups.
"Finished our road series with a few players out of position and had opportunities for others to step up," Corban head coach Danyelle Huber shared earlier today. "We'll be leaving C of I with a new fighter perspective on the remainder of our season and coming home for another big home set."
Game 1 – #22 C of I 10, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
The Yotes (17-7, 8-0) were able to score runs in their offensive half of every inning in game one of today's doubleheader, with Corban struggling to find baserunners in order to prevent a run-rule result to kickstart their final day in Idaho. Senior rightfielder Samantha Martinez logged the lone base hit in the third game of the series, while sophomore designated hitter Gianna Redman, sophomore third baseman Isabel Carattini, and senior pinch hitter Sage Vanterpool all drew walks to provide the offense with opportunities to score.
Meanwhile, C of I's lineup couldn't be dragged off the basepaths throughout the day, especially in game one where all but two starters logged at least one hit. Centerfielder Hattie Hruza led the Yotes' charge with a 3-for-3 performance, two runs scored, and two RBI. Shortstop Kaylee MacDannald and second baseman Ashlynn Nixon both had multi-hit games as well.
Corban's sophomore starting pitcher Vanesa Quinones was credited with the loss following a 3.1 inning, seven run, and ten hit effort along with a walk and a strikeout. Senior relief pitcher Alise Olson pitched the last 0.2 innings needed by the Warrior pitching staff and allowed three runs on one hit and a free pass.
For the Yotes, starting pitcher Annie Polster picked up her eighth win on the year after her complete game one-hitter intact, walking three batters and striking out a game-high seven Corban hitters.
Game 2 - #22 C of I 11, Corban 1 (5 Innings)
The non-conference and series finale was nearly a carbon copy of their Saturday opener, with the Yotes establishing a double-digit lead in the first two innings and cruising to their second run-rule in as many games.
The Warrior pitching staff of sophomore starting pitcher Kate Banks, Olson, and Quinones surrendered 11 runs on nine hits, with eight walks issued and three punchouts earned. Banks was responsible for the loss decision while Quinones had a bounce back game with only two hits allowed in 2.2 innings of work.
Yotes' starter Ambrie Jones picked up her second win on the year after allowing one earned run on four hits, with seven strikeouts, a hit by pitch, and one walk distributed.
Martinez picked up another base hit from the leadoff position in game two today and was responsible for the fifth inning RBI that scored junior centerfielder Jody Fischer. Redshirt junior shortstop Cambria Kerze, graduate student first baseman Sydney Spickelmier, and Fischer all joined Martinez with base hits of their own in game four of the four-game set.
The Warriors will return to their home field for the next conference series with Carroll College (7-12-1, 3-5) next Friday and Saturday, with first pitch on March 22nd scheduled for 2pm.
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