Click Play Button on the photo above for video highlights. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
WILSONVILLE, Ore. – The 17th-ranked Corban University Softball team finished off the weekend sweep of Embry-Riddle University (Ariz.) on Sunday, winning both games while scoring 20 total runs on the afternoon at Wilsonville High School. After coming from behind to win convincingly in the opener, 11-6, the Warriors won their fourth-straight over the Eagles in the nightcap in just five innings, 9-0.
Click 'Play Button' on photo above for video highlights from the wins.
On the weekend, the Navy and Gold blasted 10 total homeruns, including seven on Sunday.
While battling significant winds and sideways rain on Sunday afternoon, the Warriors overcame the elements en route to the pair of wins. Things looked to be smooth sailing in the opener when Corban jumped on top 5-0 in the second inning via a three-run blast from freshman second baseman McKenzie Giancola (Clackamas, Ore.).
The Eagles, however, had other plans, as they took advantage of a rain-soaked couple of innings to nab a 6-5 lead in the fourth frame. Corban would respond though, and respond in a big way.
After tying the game in the fourth and then taking a two-run lead in the fifth, the Warriors hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the sixth frame to seal the non-conference comeback win. Junior third baseman Raimee Sluder (Longview, Wash.), freshman right fielder Grace Utto-Galarneau (Lacey, Wash.), and senior first baseman Jamie Costa (Tracy, Calif.) all were a part of the consecutive trio of homers.
Junior pitcher Allie Mendez (Stockton, Calif.) went the distance for the Warriors in her fourth win of the campaign, allowing six runs, with only three being earned. She also struck out seven in the complete-game performance.
In the nightcap and final contest of the weekend, the Warriors left nothing to chance, as sophomore first baseman Raina Reece (Salem, Ore.) ripped a three-run bomb over the left-field fence in the first, and then Costa connected and sent a two-run shot to center field, giving Corban a 5-0 lead early.
The Warriors tacked on one more in the first, two more in the second, and then one final run in the fourth frame when Sluder laced one over the left-field wall, capping off the 9-0 triumph.
Reece finished with two hits and three RBI, while a number of other Warriors also registered two hits in the win, including junior shortstop Iris Rodriguez (Warden, Wash.), junior left fielder Ashleigh Lynch (Ronan, Mont.), and junior center fielder Taylor Eilders (Cameron Park, Calif.).
In the circle, senior lefty Jessica Holsinger (Eagle, Idaho) pitched the full five innings, striking out eight batters while allowing only two hits in the shutout win.
"The girls really got the bats going today, and our pitchers battled through the weather and threw two very good games," said Corban head coach Nathan Ohta. "It was nice to get the weekend sweep, and it is another great day to be a Warrior!"
Corban (10-4) is set to return to action on Thursday, March 3, when the Warriors travel to play NCAA Division II opponent, Central Washington University. First pitch of the doubleheader in Ellensburg, Wash., is set for 1 p.m.