COLUMBUS, Ga. — No. 7 College of Idaho erased a three-run deficit with a dramatic fifth inning Thursday night, opening the NAIA Softball World Series with a 4-3 win over Cascade Collegiate Conference rival British Columbia at the South Commons Complex.
The Yotes (38-20) improved to 4-2 against the Thunderbirds this season and advanced in the winner's bracket, where they will face No. 2 seed Southeastern (Fla.) on Friday at 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. ET).
Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Yotes delivered the biggest swing of the night from an unexpected source.
Freshman Marti Anderson, entering the game solely as a pinch hitter, stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. On an 0-2 pitch, Anderson ripped a double down the left field line, clearing the bases and tying the game at 3-3. The clutch hit instantly shifted momentum and capped a roaring comeback inning for the Yotes.
College of Idaho completed the rally an inning later when Isabella Fazzio opened the sixth with a single and later scored on Hallie Campbell's RBI single to right field, giving the Yotes their first lead of the night at 4-3.
Campbell finished 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and run scored, while Kamryn Ham added two hits and scored once. Anderson's lone at-bat accounted for three RBIs.
British Columbia (31-23) controlled much of the early game, taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth after a Yotes throwing error allowed Jillian Matsubara to score. The Thunderbirds added two more runs in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk by Matsubara and a sacrifice fly from Kennedy Laird.
Kina Watts started in the circle for College of Idaho, striking out three over 4 1/3 innings. Drew Williams entered in relief during the fifth inning and shut the door from there, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit to earn the win.
Williams stranded two runners in the sixth before retiring the Thunderbirds in order in the seventh to secure the Yotes' opening-round victory.
Carleen Murray took the loss for British Columbia despite striking out eight in a complete-game effort.