Two-Headed Attack Leads Warriors to Win Over Pirates

2/23/2008 11:23:31 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. – Freshman Jennifer Kollaer (Albany, Ore.) went the distance in the circle and turned in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with three RBI, as Corban's softball team defeated Whitworth, 8-1, in its opener at the Northwest Cup Saturday at the Delta Park Sports Complex.

Playing its third straight game at Delta Park in Portland, Corban came away from the day's fourth game with a much-needed victory thanks to a combined nine hits by the Warriors.

Despite allowing a third inning run to the Pirates, Corban came back and got a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning via a double by Kollaer that scored senior Lindsay Batey (Aloha, Ore.). The very next batter -- sophomore Siriana Guest (Salem, Ore.) -- reached on a throwing error by the Pirates' short stop that allowed Kollaer to score from second.

In the fourth inning, the designated visiting Warriors put four runs on the board via four hits led by a two-RBI single up the middle by sophomore Josie Strange (Chehalis, Wash.) that scored junior Megan Gaylord (Portland, Ore.) and freshman Jessie Jones (Gladstone, Ore.). After a Whitworth pitching change, Batey walked before Kollaer registered her third hit of the day -- an RBI single to right field -- that scored Strange before Batey crossed the plate with the Warriors' sixth run via the throw back to the infield by Whitworth's right fielder.

Added insurance runs came in the top of the seventh inning, as Corban tacked on a pair of runs via two hits. Sophomore Jessica Pierce (Kennewick, Wash.) led off the inning with a single to right field before Jones reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Pierce to slide in safe at second base via another Pirate throwing error. Strange then proceeded to sacrifice both runners up one base via a bunt back to the Whitworth first baseman before Kollaer drove in freshman Karissa Griggs (Athena, Ore.), who was pinch running for Pierce, followed by Jones who scored on the attempted throw to get Kollaer out at first.

Flawless Warrior defense held Whitworth scoreless for the game's final four innings en route to securing the seven-run victory, as Corban came away on the winning side of things for the first time since President's Day.

Kollaer went all seven innings in the circle, allowing one earned run on six hits with a team-high four strikeouts.

Along with Kollaer's performance at the plate, Pierce, Jones, Strange, Batey, Gaylord, and junior Karlee Sisler (Corvallis, Ore.) each registered a hit to go along with Strange's two RBI performance.

For Whitworth, six different Pirates recorded a hit each led by Jessie LaPlante's RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the third inning. In the circle, Kelsey Ayers began the game for the Pirates going the first 4.2 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with a game-high five strikeouts before handing the ball over to LaPlante for the final 2.1 innings of work.

With the win, Corban improves to 3-5 on the season while Whitworth drops it second straight game to open the 2008 season for the Pirates. The Warriors will return to the diamond on Saturday, February 23rd, when they take conclude play at the Northwest Cup hosted by Concordia University against the University of Puget Sound beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Delta Park in Portland.