Junior Karlee Sisler notched her team-leading third home run of the season, which is tied for fourth in the conference.
Sisler & Batey Lead Corban to Split With Cavaliers of Concordia
SALEM, Ore. – Senior Lindsay Batey (Aloha, Ore. hit a game-winning three-run home run to go along with junior Karlee Sisler's (Corvallis, Ore.) solo shot in the night cap, as Corban's softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with the Cavaliers of Concordia, 5-8 & 4-3, Thursday at Warrior Field.
Today’s victory in the night cap snaps a 12-game losing streak, which includes today’s opener, to the Cavaliers. The Rose City-based Cavaliers’ streak dated back to the 2005 season when then-Western Baptist defeated Concordia, 7-0, at home.
Game #1 – Concordia 8, Corban 5
Concordia jumped on the scoreboard quickly in the opener, as center fielder Casey Middagh hit a double down the left field line to bring in the game’s first two runs.
Following one additional run in the second inning, the Cavaliers continued their offensive output in the third frame with an RBI single by Tina Garcia soon followed by a single to center field by Shalina Morris that brought two more runs across the plate.
After another two runs in the top of the fourth inning stretched Concordia’s lead to eight (8-0), the Warriors put together an offensive push in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore Jessica Pierce (Kennewick, Wash.) hit a two-RBI double that carried all the way to the center field fence, allowing senior Jennifer Childers (Winston, Ore.) and sophomore Josie Strange (Chehalis, Wash.) to cross the plate.
Still down by several runs entering the 7th inning, the Warriors held Concordia scoreless in the top half before mounting a strong offensive effort. Following singles by Strange and Sisler, Concordia allowed Corban to load the bases on a fielding error. Sophomore Kacie Emerick (Bellingham, Wash.) drew a bases loaded walk that scored Strange before Pierce brought Sisler home on an RBI ground out. The very next batter -- Batey -- was hit by a pitch, bringing Emerick across the plate with Corban’s fifth and final run before the Warriors’ comeback fell short with a game-ending ground out on the next play.
The Warriors were led offensively by Pierce, who tallied a double and three RBIs in a 1-for-3 performance at the plate. In the circle, Sisler pitched all seven innings, giving up eight runs (four earned) on 12 hits.
Concordia's catcher Nicole Illias paced the Cavaliers at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. The Cavaliers' pitcher, Danielle Pulfrey, threw a complete game, allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits to go along with a game-high nine strikeouts.
Game #2 - Corban 4, Concordia 3
The night cap began as a defensive struggle, as both teams managed one run apiece through the first five innings. Corban’s first run came in the bottom of the fifth on Sisler’s team-leading third home run of the season -- a curving shot down the left field line that wrapped around the foul pole.
In the top of the sixth inning, Concordia tallied two runs to take the lead as Kari Mabe hit an RBI double to right field before pitch-runner Jen Marquette crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Coming to bat in the bottom of the sixth, junior Megan Gaylord (Portland, Ore.) and freshman Jessie Jones (Gladstone, Ore.) each singled with one out to set-up Batey's heroic performance at the plate. Working the count full, Batey hit a towering three-run home run to straight-away center field to score Gaylord and Jones and gave the Warriors a one-run lead (4-3).
Once in the lead, Corban held on to retire the side in the seventh, giving the Warriors the win and a split result in the day’s doubleheader.
Pitching the entire game for the Warriors, junior Erin Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska) gave up three runs (all earned) on four hits while registering a game-high six strikeouts.
The Warriors were led offensively by Batey, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs, while Sisler was a perfect 2-for-2 with a solo home run and an RBI.
Concordia's Kari Mabe and Rebekah Wirkkala led the Cavaliers, as each recorded an RBI on run-scoring hits. In the circle for Concordia, Pulfrey again pitched a complete game for the Cavaliers allowing four runs (all earned) on five hits.
With the split, Corban moves to 6-15 overall, 3-7 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Meanwhile, Concordia improves to 12-9 overall, 7-3 in CCC action. The Warriors are back in action on Friday, April 4th, when they host first-year conference member Northwest Christian in a mid-afternoon doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.
Recap written by Keith Wery, Corban College Sports Information Intern