KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – It took extra innings for No. 2-ranked Oregon Tech to finally close out a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) series win against the persistent Corban University Softball program, as the Warriors rallied once again to keep the nationally ranked squad on their heels in the 3-2 doubleheader opener before the Lady Owls finally broke through in game four in a 6-1 final score.
"The team played well today despite the results," Corban head coach Jeff Covalt detailed. "Miranda pitched outstandingly once again and helped us take the second ranked team in the country to extra innings. We were just a few hits away from a much better outcome, but still very happy with the work the team put in and their desire to compete."
Game 1 | No. 2 Oregon Tech 3, Corban 2 (8 Innings)
For a second-straight day, the Warriors (3-23, 3-12) pushed the No. 2-ranked Lady Owls (30-4, 13-2) to the brink of exhaustion on their home turf, exploiting an OIT lineup that has crushed the CCC to date but struggled this weekend against the Corban softball program. Sophomore starting pitcher Miranda Scovil went toe-to-toe with previously undefeated Tech starter Kristine Schmidt who accepted her first loss of the season yesterday in the Warriors' miraculous comeback and was chase from today's contest in the fifth as the Navy and Gold were poised to repeat yesterday's success once again.
The Dubs took a 1-0 lead in the very first inning after senior designated player Peyton Foreman rocketed the first pitch she saw to the left field fence, scoring sophomore first baseman Mckenna Hanson in the process. Foreman secured her second RBI in the top of the fifth to score senior pinch runner Breanna Crosby that tied the game a 2-2 following a pair of one-run innings for Tech's offense.
In extra innings, Scovil finally ran out of gas against the top team in the Pacific Northwest where a leadoff single eventually came around to score following a pair of walks and walk-off single by centerfielder Malia Mick. Twice this weekend, Scovil outdueled Schmidt and needed 135 pitches to complete today's efforts, ending her weekend at 1-1 overall with only five earned runs allowed against the CCC leaders. Owls' relief pitcher Alli Parker picked up the winning decision after Schmidt was unable to keep Corban from tying the contest before she was chased.
Foreman was responsible for both RBI in a 2-for-2 game one appearance today, with Hanson also picking up a multi-hit performance with two base knocks and a run scored. For Oregon Tech, rightfielder Brooklyn Loose was the only member of the lineup with multiple hits at 2-for-2 and a walk drawn, with the remaining six hits spread out over six different Owls.
Game 2 | No. 2 Oregon Tech 6, Corban 1
After the first 22 frames of well-played defense and stalwart pitching this series against a national powerhouse in OIT, the Warriors fell behind early in the non-conference finale and eventually dropped a 6-1 decision after the Lady Owls plated two runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the fifth. Corban's lone run scored in the contest came via a passed ball in the top of the second.
Senior starting pitcher Kate Banks struck out three batters in 4.1 frames before giving way to senior relief pitcher Amy Jankowski who kept the Lady Owls off the scoreboard the remainder of the contest. Senior shortstop Isabel Carattini and senior rightfielder Josie Landis each collected two hits at the plate for the Dubs, while Foreman was 1-for-2 after Tech opted to intentionally walk her twice.
After struggling in the opener, Owls' shortstop Gina Allen came through in game two of the doubleheader with two hits and a game-high three RBI, while first baseman Puakea Milbourne was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Mick followed her up game one heroics with two hits and scored half (3) of OIT's game four runs.
The Navy and Gold return to their home field next week against Simpson University (10-22, 4-8) looking to claim their first conference series of the year in a rare Thursday-Friday pair of doubleheaders, beginning at 2pm on the 2nd.
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