KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Just in time for spring break, the Corban University Softball team endured a pair of losses to No. 5-ranked Oregon Tech through the late March snowstorm that made its way through the Klamath Basin, as the Owls jumped out to massive leads that allowed them to coast to 7-0 and 15-1 wins today over the Warriors.

"Vanesa has shown leadership from the mound and really come into her own," Corban head coach Danyelle Huber stated. "Hits are starting to come along, and we're eager for all to become healthy and keep fighting with each pitch."

Game 1 – No. 5 OIT 7, Corban 0

All the Owls (22-6, 12-2) needed was a productive second inning of offense where they tagged Corban sophomore starting pitcher Vanesa Quinones for the only earned runs of the game with an RBI double and single to hold a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard.

Despite the Warriors' (1-29, 0-14) best efforts, Oregon Tech added five unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth after failing to secure the third out of the inning but were able to hold off the walk-off runner from scoring and forced OIT into a full seven inning game for the first time in two weeks.

However, Owls' starting pitcher Kacie Schmidt was untouchable for the hometown team in game one, dishing out eleven strikeouts over 7.0 innings of work while holding Corban to four hits and a single walk. Meanwhile, Quinones was chased from the ballgame after 4.2 innings after relinquishing seven runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking a batter, and striking out four while senior relief pitcher Madison Russell closed out the 1.1 remaining frames to the sound of one hit and one free pass.

The Warriors' offense spread four hits around a quartet of batters, with leadoff hitter and senior leftfielder Samantha Martinez leading the charge alongside junior second baseman Alexis Figueroa, senior third baseman Sarah Parker, and senior pinch hitter Sage Vanterpool.

Oregon Tech scored their seven runs on eight team hits, with third baseman Addison Kachnik batting a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Catcher Jayce Seavert was the only other Owl with a multi-hit performance in game one and secured the game-high RBI count with three earlier this afternoon.

Game 2 – No. 5 OIT 13, Corban 1 (5 Innings)

After the southern Oregon weather kept both teams from performing to their true potential in the series opener, some sunlight poked through the many clouds to dry out the turf at John and Lois Stillwell Stadium and set up the Warriors and Owls with some better playing conditions after on-and-off snow flooded their first matchup.

It only took three frames for the Owls to hop out to a 13-0 lead in game two following a barrage of hits to score every run earned against the respective Corban pitcher, eventually setting for 13 team hits with the Warriors committing just one error in the night cap contest.

In the top of the fourth, the Navy and Gold scored their first run of the afternoon on a bases loaded single by sophomore leftfielder Josie Landis, allowing redshirt junior shortstop Cami Kerze to claim home plate and deny the Owls a shutout on their home field.

Warriors' sophomore starter Kate Banks suffered the loss after being unable to escape the first inning against OIT, allowing four runs on three hits and a pair of walks. The remaining group of Corban relief pitchers, featuring junior Emmaleena Wood, Russell, and Quinones, combined to allow nine runs on eight hits, while walking just one batter over the final 3.1 innings of action.

Owls' game two starter Mckenzie Staub picked up the win after allowing a single unearned run off three hits in 4.0 frames and a trio of walks, while relief pitcher Carli Moore tossed the last inning against Corban and allowed just one hit with one walk.

The four hits in the second contest today for the Navy and Gold saw Landis and Kerze joined by junior centerfielder Jody Fischer and graduate student first baseman Sydney Spickelmier, with Landis ending her outing 1-for-1 with an RBI and walk drawn.

Oregon Tech had three multi-hit performances, with Staub powering her own offense just as efficiently as her defense with three hits, four RBI, and a run scored. First baseman Puakea Milbourne matched Staub with a 3-for-3 day at the plate and four RBI, but scored three runs as well to pace the Owls' lineup.

Corban and OIT look to close out their spring break series with the final two games of their series tomorrow afternoon, beginning at 12pm with the last conference game while the non-conference contest will begin promptly after around 2pm.

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