KIRKLAND, Wash. – It was a beautiful sunny day at Everest Park for the opening day of softball at Northwest University, but Corban University used 9 home runs in two games to sweep Northwest University 15-5 and 10-0 this afternoon in a Cascade Conference opener and spoil Northwest’s first home game in their inaugural season. Kristi Brodin, former NU coach and athletic director threw out the first pitch and CCC commissioner, Rob Cashell also took part in the opening ceremonies.

Erica Fitzgerald hit two round trippers and Rachel Conard, Courtney Castronova, and Kryianna Sorenson each hit solo home runs on their way to a 15-5 five inning win in the first game. The Warriors put together a 7 run first inning to take an early lead. Castronova and Sorenson hit back-to-back home runs in the inning. Fitzgerald hit her two HR’s in the 3rd and 5th innings while Northwest’s Lynzee Halcott hit a two run home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Three Corban pitchers gave up 7 hits as Kelli Peckham went the distance for Northwest U.

In game two Corban scored in all five innings and it was Chynna Sandhop hitting two home runs with Erica Fitzgerald hitting her 3rd  of the day in the 3rd inning. Kyrianna Sorenson hit her second home run of the day in the 2nd inning off NU pitcher Vanessa Ahrendt. After Liane Dehart and Brittany Chestnut singled in the top of the 4th, Sandhop homered on a 1-1 pitch scoring three runs.  Amy Lee Perrine, subbing for Courtney Castronova in the top of the 5th inning, hit a 2 run  on a 3-1 count. Chelsea Schriber pitched the 5 inning win and scattered 3 NU hits.

"I was happy with the energy and our output on offense," said John Bacon, NU head coach. "Corban has great pitching and we were able to put some hits up and get some runs on the board; I am pleased with our Eagles. Coach Ohta and his squad are classy competitors and helped us learn a bit more about ourselves today. This was just another step in the process of building a strong program at Northwest."

Corban (12-4, 2-0 CCC) now travel to Portland to take on Concordia tomorrow while Northwest (2-10, 0-2 CCC) will remain at home to host Northwest Christian at 11 a.m. at Everest Park.