LA GRANDE, Ore. – For the second year in a row, Oregon Tech has claimed the regular season title and will host the Cascade Collegiate Conference Softball Championship presented by U.S. Bank.
The three-day, double-elimination tournament features the top four teams from the Cascade Conference and the top seed from the Frontier Conference. Action begins at 9 a.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Owls finished the season with a 22-6 conference record, going 38-12 overall on the season, to earn the first-seed in the tournament. OIT topped the conference in numerous statistical categories including batting average (.359), slugging percentage (.561) as well as earned run average (2.80) and strikeouts (317). OIT is led by freshman infielder Tara Moates, who finished first in the CCC in batting average (.527), hits (88) and RBIs (65).
Second-seeded Concordia earned a school record in wins finishing the season with an overall record of 40-14, the most wins in the conference, but finished 21-7 in CCC play. The Cavaliers had a strong offensive year, leading in hits with 550, RBIs with 339 and runs scored with 378. Outfielder Meghan Luebbert finished in the top five in hits, RBIs and runs scored while pitcher Lucy Baldovino was first in innings pitched and led the conference in wins with 22.
Corban claims the third-seed in the tournament after a 35-15, 18-10 CCC, regular season record. Led by catcher Jamie Costa (.461 BA, 48 RBIs) and pitcher Jessica Holsinger (2.64 ERA, 102 strikeouts) the Warriors finished third in batting average, third in runs scored and second in ERA.
University of Great Falls will be the Frontier Conference representative in this year’s tournament. The Argos closed off the regular season on a two-game win streak to end 26-16 and 6-2 in conference play for a top-place finish in the Frontier Conference. After receiving acceptance earlier this year, the Argos will be a full participant in the CCC starting next season.
Southern Oregon’s Kelsey Randall led her team to a playoff berth finishing fifth in batting average, second in hits, third in runs scored and first in stolen bases. The Raiders (32-24, 13-15 CCC) ended in the top half of the conference in batting average, hits, and runs scored as well as earned run average thanks to the arm of pitcher Brianne Craig who led the CCC in ERA at 2.13.
OIT, as regular season champions have earned one of the two available automatic qualifers and was also selected to host an opening round of the NAIA tournament on May 11-13.The winner of the CCC tournament receives the other automatic qualifer. In the event OIT also wins the tournament the second AQ goes to the tournament runner up.
For more info on the tournament and the teams go to: http://www.oit.edu/athletics/inside-athletics/events/ccc-softball-tournament
2015 CCC Softball Championship presented by U.S. Bank Schedule
Friday, May 1st
Game 1 @ 9:00 a.m. – No. 4 - University of Great Falls vs No. 5 Southern Oregon
Game 2 @ 11:30 a.m. – No. 2 - Concordia vs No. 3 - Corban
Game 3 @ 2:00 p.m. – No. 1 -Oregon Tech vs. Winner of game 1
Game 4 @ 4:30 p.m. – Loser of game 1 vs. Loser of game 2 (loser eliminated)
Saturday, May 2nd
Game 5 @ 11:00 a.m. – Winner of game 2 vs Winner of game 3
Game 6 @ 1:30 p.m. – Winner of game 4 vs. Loser of game 3 (loser eliminated)
Game 7 @ 4:00 p.m. – Loser of game 5 vs Winner of game 6 (loser eliminated)
Sunday, May 3rd
Game 8 @ 11:00 a.m. – Winner of game 5 vs Winner of game 7
Game 9 @ 30 minutes after completion of game 8 (if needed)