LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Corban University Softball team put multiple runs on the scoreboard against the No. 14-ranked Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers throughout today's doubleheader, yet the Mounties scored at will to take 14-4 and 18-2 decisions over the Warriors and complete the four-game sweep on their own home field.
"Glad we got an opportunity to get our freshman some playing time and see one of the most consistent teams in our conference perform to the level we look to return to as a program," Corban head coach Jeff Covalt explained. "Hopefully, the lessons learned will help lead to a good week at practice and have us ready for another tough opponent at home next week."
Game 1 – #14 EOU 14, Corban 4 (5 Innings)
While the Mounties (7-3, 5-1) were able to score nine quick runs over the first and second innings, the Warriors (1-16, 1-5) punched through in the top of the third inning to nearly cut their deficit in half, beginning with a two-run double off the bat of junior first baseman Peyton Foreman. Senior designated player Sage Vanterpool then reached on error that allowed a run to score, followed by a single to right field by junior third baseman Leata Senio to score four runs in the inning and trail 9-4 entering the bottom of the third frame.
However, a five-run bottom of fourth frame while keeping the Navy and Gold off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest allowed the nationally ranked Eastern Oregon program to wrap up a three-game conference sweep of Corban softball.
Warriors' junior starting pitcher Vanesa Quinones surrendered nine runs, five of which were earned, on four hits and four walks while striking out the only two Mountaineers for the Corban pitching staff in game one of today's doubleheader. Senior reliever Sage Vanterpool and freshman relief pitcher Regan Rasmussen combined for the final 2.2 innings, with Vanterpool allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks, while Rasmussen only allowed a walk with no runs or hits against her.
Mountaineers' starter Kylie Parsons went 2.2 innings but allowed four runs on three hits and two walks to not qualify for the win in game one yet picked up three strikeouts along the way. Relief pitcher Camille Schmitz shut the Warriors down the rest of the way to earn the win out of the bullpen.
Foreman's two RBI led the Corban offense and was one of three Corban student-athletes alongside Senio and junior leftfielder Josie Landis. Foreman, Landis, junior centerfielder Regan McDaniel, and senior second baseman Alexis Figueroa all scored runs for the Navy and Gold through the third game of the four-game series.
A 2-for-3 performance from second baseman Madelyn Durham allowed Eastern Oregon to score 14 total runs, as she tallied four RBI with a run scored to power EOU through the opening contest of today's doubleheader. Shortstop Raygun Klippert scored three runs from the leadoff spot atop the lineup.
Game 2 – #14 EOU 18, Corban 2 (5 Innings)
Eastern Oregon's offense once again tallied double-digit runs through a two-inning period to stack a massive lead on the Warriors despite a pair of earned runs pushed across home plate by Corban true freshman shortstop Mckenna Hanson. Despite cutting into the Mountaineers' lead to avoid a possible run rule, EOU's lineup stayed hot and pushed the Navy and Gold defense to the brink with nine more runs to conclude the non-conference matchup at 18-2.
Warriors' true freshman starting pitcher Miranda Scovil was unable to escape the first inning of today's game four matchup and accepted the losing decision with nine earned runs against her average off five hits and three walks, yet both of her outs recorded were via strikeouts. Rasmussen was charged with six more runs on seven hits, Quinones with one run on two hits, and McDaniel tossed the final inning to the sound of two runs off three hits.
A 2.0 inning appearance for Mounties' starting pitcher Natalie Dimitrov where she allowed two runs on three runs wasn't enough to pick up the winning decision and instead gave way to reliever Taylor Brewer who pitched the final 3.0 innings and secured six punchouts to earn the win.
Rasmussen, Hanson, and junior second baseman Isabel Carattini all picked up base hits in the final game against Eastern Oregon, while Rasmussen and Senio were responsible for the runs scored.
Mountaineers' centerfielder Katelynn Evans and leftfielder Kelly Monaghan were both 3-for-3 with multiple runs scored and RBI totals, with rightfielder Hope Burke registering a game-high four RBI.
The Warriors will travel back to the Willamette Valley and prepare to host No. 24-ranked College of Idaho (9-3, 4-2) on Friday afternoon starting at 2pm.
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