REDDING, Calif. – Fielding errors and untimely at-bats continue to haunt the Corban University Softball team as they compete in their season-opening weekend in northern California, as they scored two runs in three-straight losses to Westcliff University and in back-to-back contests with Park University-Gilbert, dropping 8-2, 3-2, and 11-2 final scores as they continue to feel out the 2026 lineup.
"Overall, it was a challenging day, but we continue to see growth," explained Corban head coach Jeff Covalt. Mckenna has hit outstanding and gaining valuable experience while growing more comfortable every inning. Tomorrow's a new day and with it, and new opportunity to continue to march forward."
Game 1 | Westcliff 8, Corban 2
A Westcliff (8-4) program that has turned in some impressive non-conference results to date scored the first five runs of today's opener against the Navy and Gold (0-4), who earned a pair of runs back in the bottom of the fourth but gave up three more over the next two frames to drop their first of two matchups this weekend with the southern California Warriors.
Corban senior starting pitcher Kate Banks pitched 3.1 innings and allowed five runs off six hits and three walks, while senior reliever Amy Jankowski pitched the remaining 3.2 frames to the sound of three runs, five hits, and one walk while striking out three batters.
Westcliff starter Jolene Miramontes tossed the complete game victory by spreading out ten Corban hits and seven punchouts, with the two-run single in the fifth representing the only damage she allowed all contest.
Now atop Covalt's lineup card, sophomore first baseman Mckenna Hanson secured the first of three-straight multi-hit performances in game one against Westcliff, as she was 2-for-4 to represent one of three Warriors with two hits alongside freshman rightfielder Shelby Hillyer and freshman second baseman Layla Burgess. The two-run single came off the bat of senior pinch hitter Kassandra Douglas, who played Hillyer and Burgess to avoid the shutout.
A 3-for-3 outing with two runs scored for Westcliff centerfielder Kayce Johnston powered the neutral site visitors to victory, with second baseman Rachel Varela adding two hits and three runs scored.
Game 2 | Park-Gilbert 3, Corban 2
In the opener of an unconventional doubleheader with the Buccaneers (7-7), neither squad led by more than two runs at any point of the contest, as every run was scored between the third and fifth innings but numerous scoring opportunities by either squad were squandered by the opposing starting pitchers. The Warriors brought the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but back-to-back strikeouts left Corban one run shy of forcing extra innings.
Another quality start from sophomore righthander Miranda Scovil resulted in a tight loss despite giving up just two earned runs, as the Albany native tossed another complete game with six strikeouts, but walked four batters and allowed another five to reach safely on hits.
Park-Gilbert starting pitcher Daysy Juarez picked up the win after out-dueling Scovil with seven punchouts and just two runs allowed off another five hits, despite walking six Warriors and hitting another along the way.
Hanson once again led the Navy and Gold with two hits, this time logging an RBI on her one-run single in the bottom of the fourth that tied the contest at one run apiece. Hillyer collected another hit in the second game of today's tripleheader, with sophomore designated player Hannah Griffith and senior leftfielder Josie Landis adding a base knock each.
Bucs' leftfielder Jade Montoya joined Hanson with two hits apiece, scoring two runs herself to lead all baserunners.
Game 3 | Park-Gilbert 11, Corban 2 (6 Innings)
In the nightcap rematch between the Warriors and Buccaneers, Park-Gilbert jumped on the board early with a single run in both the first and fourth innings, but Hanson delivered in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single to knot the game at 2-all. However, the Bucs dropped a nine-run top of the sixth to force a run-rule into effect, ending the contest at 11-2 following a three-batter offensive frame for Corban.
Warriors' senior southpaw Vanesa Quinones pitched 5.0 quality innings before the Bucs teed off in the top of the sixth for nine runs, ending her day with five runs off seven hits alongside a strikeout. Jankowski came in to relieve Quinones and close out the Corban defensive half of the sixth, surrendering another six runs on four hits and a walk.
Park-Gilbert starting pitcher Grace Jump earned the win following 6.0 innings with the pair of runs allowed to Hanson serving as the lone damage on her ERA today with five strikeouts to make up for them.
Yet another 2-for-4 outing for Hanson gives the second-year Montanan a blazing hot .643 batting average and a .857 slugging percentage through her first four games of the season, reaching base safely on 9-of-14 at-bats that includes three doubles. Hillyer picked up yet another base hit in a third-straight contest, while freshman third baseman Irene VanDyke secured her third base hit of the year to date.
An impressive 4-for-4 showing at the plate by catcher Noelle Gumm allowed the Buccaneers to sweep the doubleheader alongside her game-high three runs scored.
Two more games await the Warriors tomorrow in northern California before they make the journey back up the I-5 interstate, as they'll battle Arizona Christian University (7-5) and Westcliff once again at 10am and 12pm, respectively.
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