Zillner Throws Perfect Game, but C of I Splits with Northwest Christian
CALDWELL, Idaho - Katie Zillner tossed the second perfect game in College of Idaho softball history, however, Northwest Christian rallied for an unearned run in the eighth inning of the nightcap, as the two teams split today's twinbill in rain soaked Caldwell.
The No. 20 ranked Coyotes (13-5, 5-3 CCC) won the opener, 8-0, while the Beacons ended a five-game losing streak with their first-ever Cascade Conference win with a 1-0 victory in Game 2.
Zillner was dominant in Game 1, striking out the first nine batters in a row, finishing with 12 punch outs in the five inning game. In fact, NCC batters made contact with the senior's pitches only once the first time through the order. It marked Zillner's third no-hitter and the first perfect game by a C of I pitcher since Nicole Glenn blanked Walla Walla in 2003.
A seven-run third inning, helped by a pair of Beacon (7-14, 1-5) errors, lifted the Yotes to the win. Brooke Judy had an RBI single in the frame, as three runs scored on NCC wild pitches. Zillner helped her own cause by going 3-for-3, with an RBI single, at the plate.
Game 2 was a pitchers dual in the rain, as Darci Byrne and Judy matched zeros through seven innings. However, Zillner was summoned from the pen and quickly gave up an infield single to Corrie Gustafson and a bloop single to Lissa Hatefi. Cassie Bishop then hit a ball that dropped in front of left fielder Donnae Carrell, with Gustafson stopping at third, however, the throw in eluded the cut-off man, allowing Gustafson to scored the game's lone run.
The Lady Yotes had a chance in the bottom of the inning, as Dani Villyard led off with a single and was sacrificed to second. However, Byrne struck out Nicole Antonoplos and Zillner to end the game - finishing with a three-hit shutout, along with eight strikeouts.
It marked the first home shutout loss by the Yotes since the 2006 season and just the second under head coach Al Mendiola.
The two teams will be in action tomorrow at Symms Field - NCC meeting Eastern Oregon in a doubleheader at 11 a.m., with the Lady Yotes meeting NCAA Division I foe Idaho State in a twinbill, beginning at 3 p.m.