BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - The second day of the NAIA Opening Round saw No. 6 College of Idaho advance to the championship round as the Yotes split its two games on Tuesday. College of Idaho dropped a 5-1 decision to host Baker University, bouncing back in an elimination game for an 8-2 win over IU Southeast to move on to action on Wednesday.
College of Idaho (48-8) fell to host Baker in game one by a 5-1 margin due to a pair of home runs and a two-RBI single in the seventh. In the loss, the Yotes left nine runners on base and were limited to four hits by a pair of Wildcat pitchers – Kira Baker and Skylar Gorrell.
Down 2-0 after a first inning home run by Makayla Akin put Baker ahead 2-0, College of Idaho got on the board on a RBI single by Lexi Navarrete, who brought in Haley Loffer from second, who reached on a one out walk and stole second to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Wildcats came back with a solo home run in the fourth and the two-RBI single in the seventh on its way to the win.
Despite the loss, Yotes starting pitcher Hannah McNerney allowed just five hits and strikeout a career-high 10 batters.
With the season on the line, College of Idaho punched their ticket to Wednesday’s final round with an 8-2 win.
The Yotes started the game, scoring four runs on five hits. Two of the came runs came in on a two-out, two-RBI single by Hallie Holland and two chances came up short as the Grenadiers threw out C of I runners at the plate.
College of Idaho added to its lead in the third with a two out, three-RBI double by Hattie Hruza for a 7-0 advantage against the No. 6 Yotes.
After retiring the first 10 batters in order, IU Southeast got on the scoreboard in the bottom of fourth on a two-run home run that trimmed the C of I lead to 7-2.
Wilfert and College of Idaho knew that IUS had come back from a 9-2 deficit in its earlier game to defeat Valley City State, 12-9. She managed to retire the next eight batters in order before a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh. Wilfert started a game-ending double play to end the threat and the game.
The season and a spot at the NAIA World Series will be on the line on Wednesday as College of Idaho will need to take two games from host Baker University. First pitch is scheduled for noon (CST) / 11 a.m. (MT).