NEWBERG, Ore. – The non-conference slate for Corban University Softball came to a close today with a doubleheader sweep by NCAA DIII George Fox University on the Bruins' home field, as the Warriors dropped 8-0 and 9-1 decisions earlier this afternoon, but ending in run-rule wins for GFU. The doubleheader this afternoon counted as exhibition games for the Bruins, while they represented the last two out-of-conference regular season contests for the Navy and Gold.
"We finished the two games with progress and steps in the right direction," shared Warriors' head coach Jeff Covalt. "We are excited to welcome conference play and get our CCC season started."
Game 1 – George Fox 8, Corban 0 (6 Innings)
A six-inning no-hitter by Bruins' starting pitcher Jordyn Relethford allowed the host school to cruise to an 8-0 victory to open their regular season despite the contest not counting to their overall record. She allowed two walks while striking out four Corban batters in a complete game effort.
For the Warriors (0-9), junior starting pitcher Kate Banks accepted her first loss of the season after allowing seven runs on five hits and seven walks while striking out a pair, with senior reliever Sage Vanterpool picking up 2.1 innings of work and surrendering a single run off two hits and two more punchouts.
George Fox first baseman Sharon Tomei was the only batter in today's contest with a multi-hit outing, as she was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored while designated hitter Bethany Wilkes secured a game-high three RBI.
Game 2 – George Fox 9, Corban 1 (5 Innings)
A 6-0 lead for the Bruins was cut into by the Warriors in the top of the fourth when Banks doubled to deep right field which allowed junior leftfielder Gianna Redman to reach third on the play, scoring on the next play when a wild pitch allowed her to skirt home from third base. However, a pair of runs in the top of the fifth put GFU one run away from a walk-off run-rule in the fifth, which they secured on an RBI-single to right field.
Warriors' game two freshman starting pitcher Miranda Scovil wasn't able to escape from some busy situations on the basepaths and surrendered eight runs, only five of which were earned, on five hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Senior relief pitcher Emmaleena Wood tossed a clean inning in the third, while junior reliever Amy Jankowski saw the walk-off run score in the fifth under her command.
A 4.0 inning effort by Bruins' starter Nicole Ledendecker allowed her to pick up the win in the shortened contest, as she allowed the Corban run to score despite seven strikeouts and a walk. Reliever Allison Heater kept the Navy and Gold scoreless yet allowed two hits.
Banks and Redman registered two of the three base hits for the Corban offense in game two of today's doubleheader, with junior catcher Kassandra Douglas securing the third hit on a single to left center in the top of the fifth.
The top of the Bruins' lineup did a majority of the heavy lifting in game two, as rightfielder Tinley Taylor and Tomei each had a pair of hits while Taylor crossed home plate twice and Tomei added three more RBI to her daily totals.
Conference play officially kicks off this upcoming weekend for the Warriors, as they'll welcome the University of Providence (2-2, 0-0) to Warrior Field beginning at 1pm on Friday afternoon.
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