Jutine Fulton's three-run homer helped the Raiders split with the Yotes.
Homers Help Raiders Split With No. 15 Yotes
A pair of second game home runs helped the Southern Oregon softball team salvage a split with 15th-ranked College of Idaho today at University Field in Ashland. The Yotes (4-6, 2-2) won the first game 3-1, while the Raiders (6-12, 2-2) took the second game 5-4.
In the nightcap, Southern Oregon jumped out to a 1-0 lead after three innings thanks to a solo home run by Rayna Okimoto.
After the Yotes put two on the board in the top of the fourth, the Raiders got the bats going once again.
Bailey Price drilled a double to the right-center gap. Karri Johnson tied the game with a single back up the middle and Justine Fulton put the Raiders up for good with a three-run home run to left.
The Yotes added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth and were threatening in the top of the seventh, when Okimoto fielded a ball that had bounced off Price at first base and beat Hannah Johnson to first to end the game and strand the Yotes' tying run at third.
Fulton and Johnson led the SOU offense with a pair of hits. Johnson also picked up her second straight win for the Raiders on the mound.
In the opening game, the SOU defense gave the Yotes plenty of chances.
In the second inning, a dropped fly ball and an overthrown ball to first base helped the Yotes jump out to a 2-0 lead.
The Raiders cut the lead to 2-1 thanks to a Yotes error in the fourth inning and SOU threatened in the sixth by having three reach base, but couldn't push the run across.
Sarah Wharton and Meghan Laughlin led the SOU offense with a pair of hits each.
Jody Zillner picked up the win for the Yotes after giving up just five hits and striking out nine.
SOU travels to Corban and Northwest Christian next weekend.