SALEM, Ore. – Eleven fielding errors spread out over the 14 innings played today at Warrior Field put the Corban University Softball team in a deeper hole than they needed against the No. 3-ranked program in the NAIA, as the Southern Oregon University Raiders capped off an undefeated weekend via 9-1 and 11-1 victories today to conclude their four-game series with the Navy and Gold.
"Big thanks to Matt and Ty who did a great job getting the field ready after our rain shower last night," began Warriors' head coach Jeff Covalt. "It was a difficult day on the field, sometimes you win and sometimes you learn, and this weekend we did a lot of learning. We're excited for the challenges ahead with a good OIT team next weekend."
Despite scoring 20 runs, the Raiders' (25-9, 7-5) pitching staff was once again the difference maker against the Warriors (2-20, 2-10), as their starting core of Ayla Davies and Lexi Ramirez each picked up another pair of wins in the circle behind one-run outings. Davies took a no-hitter into the seventh frame before giving up back-to-back base hits to start the frame, while Ramirez racked up another seven strikeouts to add to her weekend totals.
Corban sophomore starting pitcher Miranda Scovil had the best appearance by a Warrior in the circle today, as she tossed a complete game in today's opener and only allowed three earned runs, with the other six scored by SOU crossing home plate unearned due to fielding errors by the defense behind her. She outdueled Davies in terms of punchouts, as she struck out seven Raiders compared to Davies' four.
The Dubs stayed within striking distance of the Raiders through a majority of the non-conference finale thanks to just one earned run allowed by both senior starting pitcher Vanesa Quinones and senior reliever Amy Jankowski, but Southern Oregon rattled off six runs in the top of the seventh to squash the Warriors' comeback hopes.
Sophomore first baseman Mckenna Hanson was the lone Warrior with a multi-hit outing on the day, as she finished 2-for-3 in game four with their lone RBI. Also collecting base hits in today's doubleheader was senior designated player Peyton Foreman, senior shortstop Isabel Carattini, freshman catcher Shelby Hillyer, and freshman second baseman Layla Burgess.
Raiders' second baseman Vanessa Lang was unstoppable at the plate today for the visiting squad, as she finished the pair of contests a combined 6-for-8 with four runs scored and two RBI. Centerfielder Ari Williams was the only other SOU batter with a multi-hit performance in either game in addition to Lang, as she was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in game two.
The Navy and Gold hit the road once again next weekend, as they'll visit the Klamath Basin for a four-game series against No. 2-ranked Oregon Tech (25-3, 10-1) beginning on Friday at 2pm.
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