SALEM, Ore. – A typical winter day in Oregon filled with several inches of rain created a downpour of offense for the host institution in the Corban University Softball team's road doubleheader, as the Warriors were held scoreless for ten innings of play via 9-0 and 10-0 run-rule victories for NCAA DIII Willamette University.
"Another weekend of experience to help prepare us for conference games next week," Corban head coach Jeff Covalt expressed shortly after their Saturday doubleheader. "The team is learning more every week and continuing to grow as we close out the preseason."
Game 1 – Willamette 9, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
The entire nine runs of offense that the host Bearcats (3-1) needed to secure a game one victory on their home field came in the opening inning, as the Warriors (0-7) were unable to escape the opening inning but held Willamette scoreless for the remainder of the contest thanks to 3.0 shutout innings from junior reliever Kate Banks in her first appearance of the 2025 season.
Junior starter Amy Jankowski was tagged for an even eight hits and eight earned runs while securing a single out in the first frame, with Banks picking up the remaining 3.2 innings with four hits and a single earned run while striking out a pair of Bearcats.
Willamette starting pitcher Kenna Davis allowed no hits but walked a batter with four punchouts in the opening 2.0 innings, while reliever Elizabeth Hillier allowed two hits in the final 3.0 innings and picked up a strikeout.
The two Warriors responsible for base hits in game one were junior leftfielder Gianna Redman who doubled with two outs in the top of the third, while freshman second baseman Regan Rasmussen singled up the middle in the top of the fourth.
Bearcats' third baseman Mia Rogers and rightfielder Emma Elliott each picked up multi-hit outings for Corban's inner-city rivals, as they both finished 2-for-3 and Elliott picking up two RBI in the process.
Game 2 – Willamette 10, Corban 0 (5 Innings)
A three-run bottom of the first for Willamette provided the host program with another early lead, yet Corban freshman starter Miranda Scovil kept the Navy and Gold within striking distance through three innings before the Bearcats finally broke through and doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning alone, resulting in the back-to-back run-rule doubleheader sweep.
Scovil finished her outing with 3.0 innings of work but surrendered five runs on four hits along with three walks and a strikeout. Senior relievers Emmaleena Wood and Sage Vanterpool combined for the final inning, as Wood was charged with another five runs on four hits while Vanterpool walked two and allowed a single base hit but managed to keep Willamette off the scoreboard.
Bearcats' starting pitcher Abigail Loomis spun a complete game shutout for her program, allowing all four of the Corban hits while picking up four punchouts and allowing no walks or hit-by-pitches.
Rasmussen moved up just behind the leadoff spot in game two and secured a 2-for-2 performance in game two, representing the only Warrior on the day with a multi-hit excursion. Banks and senior first baseman Lola Benjamin each picked up a single into the outfield as well in their trips to the plate.
All nine of Willamette's hits in game two were picked up by nine different student-athletes, with first baseman Faith Collar picking up four RBI via a two-RBI single and two sacrifice flyballs.
The Warriors are next scheduled to host NCAA DIII George Fox University (0-0) on Tuesday, February 25th at 4pm on Warrior Field for a single game matchup.
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