FOLSOM, Calif. – The Corban University Softball team opened up regular season play today down in northern California with a pair of scoreless losses to Menlo College and host Jessup University, falling 2-0 to the Oaks before a 5-0 loss to the Warriors of Jessup. The round robin tourney hosted by Jessup was moved to Folsom Lake College after the fields at Foskett National Park received heavy rain over the past few days.
"Today was a good day to work out some kinks early on," Warriors' head coach Danyelle Huber stated after their season-opening doubleheader. "The team learned a lot from today and are even more hungry and ready again for tomorrow. Our pitchers overall held their own and pitchers/defense alike got out of some tough situations. Which we can only be proud of. Offensively, the hits will come and start clicking very soon."
GAME 1 – Menlo 2, Corban 0
A pair of runs is all the Oaks (4-2) needed to secure the neutral site matchup with the Warriors (0-2) on opening day for Corban, as Menlo knocked in an RBI double in the bottom of the third and doubled their lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a bases-loaded fielder's choice.
Corban made the Oaks earn every run they possibly could through their full seven-inning contest earlier this afternoon, as eleven total runners were stranded by Menlo over their six innings of offense thanks to some key pitching situations and defensive plays by the Warriors.
Senior starting pitcher Alise Olson (0-1) was credited with the game one loss after surrendering the first run of the ball game in 2.1 innings of work, allowing five total hits and walking two batters. Sophomore relief pitcher Vanesa Quinones tossed the final 3.2 frames, allowing one run off three hits and cashing in on a strikeout.
Oaks' starting pitcher Brianna Gonzalez improved to 2-0 on the season with a complete game shutout of the Warriors, giving up just four base hits while striking out a game-high six batters. Gonzalez walked none and needed just 90 pitches in a quick one hour and 46 minute affair.
Graduate student shortstop Sydney Spickelmier was the Warriors' offensive spark that just couldn't quite find her way around to home plate after securing two singles in her Corban debut, with senior first baseman Tatiana Liu and senior third baseman Sarah Parker responsible for the remaining base knocks in game one.
Menlo benefited from a 3-for-4 performance by first baseman Bella Cortez, who was also responsible for one of the two runs scored with pinch runner Shaya Raziorrough earning the other. Shortstop Emma Medina and pinch hitter Grace Tuiteleleapaga were the Oaks credited with the RBI at-bats needed to secure their first matchup this weekend with Corban.
GAME 2 – Jessup 5, Corban 0
In game two of the Navy and Gold's opening day doubleheader, another complete game pitching performance in Jessup's first game of the day resulted in just three hits for the Corban offense, with all base hits coming in the first four innings of play before being held hitless for the final three frames.
Jessup tacked on a single run in the bottom of the first, fourth, and fifth innings, with two more coming in the third to chase Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Kate Banks (0-1) from the game with all five runs coming on seven hits, five walks and two wild pitches. Banks struck out three batters to tie the game-high mark, while sophomore relief pitcher Amy Jankowski saw just one base hit against her in a single inning of action.
Starting pitcher Katie Blankenheim tossed 7.0 innings of shutout softball to earn her first win of the 2024 season, striking out three Corban batters and allowing three to walk via hit and another two via walks. She hit one batter in her second at-bat of the game but would rebound to secure the first of two matchups between the two Warrior teams.
Spickelmier and Parker picked up another hit apiece in their second regular season game, while junior centerfielder Jody Fischer picked up an infield single from the leadoff position. Corban left just six runners on base, compared to seven for Jessup.
Multi-hit performances from second baseman Kaitlyn Fanning and shortstop Olivia Dominguez allowed the host university to cruise to the 5-0 victory, with Dominguez tallying a single run scored and RBI along the way. First baseman Sarah Giles earned two of the five RBI in today's mid-afternoon clash.
Corban will hit repeat and bounce back tomorrow morning with another doubleheader featuring the Oaks and Warriors of Jessup, with 10am and 12pm first pitch times scheduled at Folsom Lake College.
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