CCC Softball Tournament Opens Up on Thursday
SALEM, Ore. - After wining their first Cascade Conference title in school history, the Corban Warriors play host to the 2013 CCC Softball Championship Tournament on Thursday and Friday at Warrior Field in Salem, Ore. Tournament teams wil be eliminated after twho losses in the tournament, while the tournament winner will advance to the opening round of the NAIA Softball Championship.
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Thursday, May 2
Game 1 @ 9:00 am - #2 Concordia vs. #3 Oregon Tech
Game 2 @ 11:30am - #1 Corban vs. #4 College of Idaho
Game 3 @ 2:00 pm - Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 4 @ 4:30 pm - Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 (Loser Eliminated)
Friday, May 3
Game 5 @ 11:00 am - Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (Loser Eliminated)
Game 6 @ 1:30 pm - Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
Game 7 @ 4:00 pm - Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (If Necessary)
ABOUT CORBAN: The Warriors enter the postseason riding a six-game win streak en route to a record of 39-11 overall and 24-4 in Cascade Conference play. Corban led the CCC this season in on-base percentage (.411), slugging percentage (.522), runs (321), home runs (68), RBIs (294), walks (204), stolen bases (80) and sacrifice flies (17). Individually, senior Stephanie Nippert has made herself the clear favorite for player of the year, leading both the confrence and the nation in chances (447), putouts (425) and home runs (25). Her .431 batting average is also tops in the Cascade Conference. In the circle, Chelsey Schriber is having a great season, going 16-6 with a 2.27 ERA in 126.1 innings pitched. She has only walked nine batters this season with opponents hitting just .257 against her.
ABOUT CONCORDIA: The Cavaliers come to Salem with a record of 34-19 overall and 19-9 in CCC, which was good enough to give them the second seed in this year's tournament. The Cavs were amazing at home, going 18-2 on the year, but struggled at bit on the road, going a combine 16-17 in road and neutral-site contests. As a team, the Cavs lead the conference in batting averaging at .313. Concordia is also tops in at bats, having gone to the plate officially 1490 times this season. Individually, Taylor Copher is having an outstanding freshman season, posting a batting average of .374 on the year with a CCC-leading 64 hits and 19 doubles. Ashley Suter has led the CU pitching staff this season, appearing in 28 games and posting a 2.16 ERA with batters hitting .199 against her this season.
ABOUT OREGON TECH: The Hustlin' Owls come to Salem after finishing in a tie for second place after being picked to win the title in the preseason poll. OIT finished the regular season with a record of 35-14 and 19-9 in CCC play, losing a tiebreaker to Concordia based on season series, though facing the Cavs in opening round action. As a team, the Owls are second in the CCC in batting average this season, hitting .310 and finding themselves among the leaders in nearly every offensive category. Oregon Tech has also down a strong job pitching, posting a 2.44 ERA with just 113 earned runs given up in 323.2 innings pitched. Individually, Alyssa Davis finished the regular season ranked fourth in batting average while teammate Jess Plummer is second the CCC in home runs with 19 longballs on the year. Taylor Schmidt has had amazing control of opposing hitters, posting a 2.26 ERA in 170.1 innings pitched. She gave up just four home runs this season while striking out 110 batters.
ABOUT COLLEGE OF IDAHO: The Yotes wrap up the tournament field after going 31-21 this season, including 17-11 in CCC play after winning 11 of their final 12 games of the regular season. C of I ranks fourth in batting this season, hitting at a .293 clip, but their real strength has been in the circle, as opponents have averaged just 2.40 earned runs per game against them. The Yotes pitching staff leads the CCC in hits allowed (306), strikeouts (305), complete games (46), shutouts (12) and strikeouts per game (6.11). Individuall, Alexis Macias is second in the CCC in batting, holding a .391 average. Nickayla Skinner has been nearly untouchable in the circle, holding an ERA of 1.89 heading into the conference tournament with 205 strikeouts and eight shutouts in 24 complete games this season.