Click the ‘Play Button’ on the photo above for video highlights from the win. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
CLERMONT, Fla. – The No. 6-seeded Corban University Softball team shocked the No. 3-seeded Marian University (Ind.) Knights on Friday evening at the 2017 NAIA Softball World Series, 6-3, registering the program's first-ever victory in World Series action. The win puts the Warriors in the winner's bracket, and Corban will play again on Monday against an opponent to still be determined.
Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from the win.
"I'm so proud of our team," said Corban head coach Abigail Farler. "It took everyone on the roster to earn this win. They fought hard and came with a lot of energy today."
Updated World Series Bracket
In what is Corban's inaugural trip to the NAIA Softball World Series, the Warriors made the most of the evening in front of a packed house following the official opening ceremonies with all 10 teams in attendance at the World Series.
Sabrina Boyd cruised through the first three innings for Corban in the circle, and the Warriors offensively got runners into scoring position. Corban was unable to capitalize on a couple of occasions, however, leaving runners stranded.
Then in the fourth, Marian recorded three hits to score a pair of runs and take the 2-0 advantage through four innings.
The Warriors responded in a big way in the fifth, however, and it was Jessie Isham that came through in the clutch for Corban, ripping a two-RBI double to left-center to score Ashleigh Lynch and Taylor Eilders, tying the contest at 2-2. The Warriors then went in front by a run thanks to a sacrifice fly from Iris Rodriguez.
In the sixth, the Warriors increased their lead by a run thanks to showing patience at the dish and earning an RBI walk. Then Isham came through for the second time in as many innings, chopping a two-RBI single over the third-baseman's head and into left field, scoring two more runners to push the advantage to 6-2.
While the Knights would pull one run back in the seventh, Allie Mendez closed the door on Marian, finishing out the contest for the 6-3 triumph.
Mendez came on in relief in the fifth frame and tossed the final three innings for the Warriors, allowing just the one run while giving up four hits. Boyd went four innings while allowing two runs on four hits.
Isham finished the contest 2-for-3 with four RBI at the plate, while Lynch went 2-for-2 at the dish with two runs scored. Following the contest, Isham talked about the victory in an interview:
The Warriors scored the six runs against Marian's Breena Smith, who coming into Friday night's contest was 27-0 on the year with a 0.58 ERA. For Marian as a team, the loss drops the Knights to 47-5 overall and into the loser's bracket. They will take on Warner (Fla.) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. EST in an elimination contest.
Corban moves to 44-11 overall on the season, officially setting a new program record for wins in a single season. The Warriors will play on Monday, June 29, against the winner of the Columbia (Mo.) vs. Ottawa (Kan.) game which will be played on Saturday at 5 p.m. EST.
Corban's game on Monday is slated for a 7:30 p.m. EST first pitch. Live stats and live video will be available via the NAIA Stretch Internet portal.
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