SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University Softball team secured the offensive breakthrough they've been searching for in game one of their four game series against first year Cascade Collegiate Conference member Simpson University, as the Warriors teed off on the Red Hawks' pitching for a 6-2 victory before the visitors returned the favor in game two with a 4-1 road win to even the series.
"Special game today seeing Mckenna and Shelby both hit their first collegiate home runs," shared Warriors' head coach Jeff Covalt. "Miranda pitched outstanding in game one and we generated the offense to get her the win. Kate and Amy both pitched solid outings in game two, we just couldn't get the run support they needed. Tomorrow's a new day and we are excited to run it back and see if we can win this series."
Game 1 | Corban 6, Simpson 2
The series opener between the Warriors (4-24, 4-13) and Red Hawks (11-23, 5-9) featured the offensive firepower Warrior Nation has patiently waited for all this season, as starting lineup blasted their first two longballs of the season from a pair of underclassmen who each tallied their first career collegiate home runs in the process. The offense combined with a lights out performance from sophomore starting pitcher Miranda Scovil who picked up her second win of the year behind ten strikeouts in a complete game effort. Simpson's only runs of the game were scored unearned due to Corban fielding errors, providing Scovil with an unscathed ERA on the day. She issued just two walks with four hits allowed to stonewall the Red Hawks' lineup.
After the two CCC programs exchanged runs between the bottom of the second and top of the third frames, sophomore first baseman Mckenna Hanson gave the Dubs the lead back for good, as she tagged an 0-2 pitch over the right field fence for a two-run bomb. The Red Hawks earned a run back in the fourth, but freshman catcher Shelby Hillyer's drove the first pitch she saw down the left field line and just inside the foul pole for a three-run homer to ice game one on her home field.
While Hillyer and Hanson's flashy homers provided the fireworks, freshman rightfielder Irene VanDyke had her most consistent day at the plate all season by finishing 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base. The trio combined for all five of the Warriors' base hits in the opener while four more members of the Navy and Gold were responsible for runs scored.
Simpson starting pitcher Jacquelyn Lujan was charged with six earned runs in a complete effort as well, striking out nine batters while walking three. The Red Hawks' offense was led by centerfielder Nayzeth Gonzalez and first baseman Brianna Lopez-Cortez, who each finished 2-for-3 and were responsible for the only base hits of the game for the visiting squad. Gonzalez picked up an RBI and scored a run from the leadoff spot.
Game 2 | Simpson 4, Corban 1
The nightcap contest was a complete flip for the results of the pitching staffs, as Red Hawks' game two starter Grace Chojnacki allowed just a single unearned run in the bottom of the first inning while striking out three Warriors across a complete game effort.
Corban senior starting pitcher Kate Banks and senior reliever Amy Jankowski each had sustainable outings in 3.1 and 3.2 innings of work, respectively, but their offense didn't provide the fire power they needed like in game one to earn a victory. Both Banks and Jankowski struck out a pair of Red Hawks, while only two of their combined four runs allowed crossed home plate as earned.
Hanson and Hillyer picked up base hits once again in game two, but only Hanson would score the lone run while VanDyke and senior designated player Peyton Foreman collected the only other base knocks of the contest. Foreman drove home Hanson in the bottom of the first to earn Corban's lone RBI.
Simpson catcher Ariel Schulzkump picked up the only multi-hit outing for either squad, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Gonzalez, third baseman Kassandra Soria, and second baseman Adriana Delaney all picked up base hits as well.
Tomorrow morning, the Warriors and Red Hawks will play out their second doubleheader with the 11am rubber match representing the conference series clincher, while game four at 1pm will serve as the non-conference contest.
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