Corban - Southern Oregon Split Softball Doubleheader

With the split, Corban is now 5-14 overall, 2-6 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action.

Senior Lindsay Batey notched the 12th home run of her career, which ranks her third all-time in school history. Photo courtesy: Corban Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. - Senior Lindsay Batey (Aloha, Ore.) hit a one-out, walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Corban's softball team split an afternoon doubleheader with the Red Raiders of Southern Oregon, 3-4 & 6-5, Monday at Warrior Field.

Having dropped six straight games, including four straight conference games, Corban came into today's twin bill knowing that either a sweep or split could possibly jump start the rest of its season.

Game #1 - Southern Oregon 4, Corban 3

In Monday's opener, the fans were treated to a pitcher's dual through the first two innings before Southern Oregon's pitcher Alicia Caudill helped herself with a solo home run down the left field line for the game's opening run. One batter later, Christa Simon singled to right field and then stole second before advancing to third via Bailey Price's ground out to short. The very next batter -- Meaghan Laughlin -- handed Southern Oregon a two-run lead (2-0) thanks to an RBI single through the left side that scored Simon from third.

The visiting Red Raiders added another pair of runs in top of the fourth inning, as Caudill registered a two-run single to center field that scored Christina Archambault and Karla Alvarez.

In the bottom of the inning, Corban put its first run on the board when Batey opened the frame with a walk and then advanced to second on sophomore Siriana Guest's (Salem, Ore.) ground out to second. During the next at-bat, Batey advanced to third via a wild pitch before coming home on junior Karlee Sisler's (Corvallis, Ore.) sacrifice fly-out to left field.

The host Warriors added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as junior Erin Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska) pinch hit and drew a walk to open the inning. Sophomore Josie Strange (Chehalis, Wash.) took over for Sailors at first and proceeded to steal second before advancing to third on a Guest's ground out to the pitcher. Strange then scored the Warriors' second run of the opener via a pass ball to pull the home team within a mere two runs (4-2) of Southern Oregon.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Corban tacked another run on the board when senior Jennifer Childers (Winston, Ore.) opening the inning with a single through the left side before advancing to second via sophomore Kacie Emerick's (Bellingham, Wash.) ground out. Childers then moved up one base via another SOU pass ball before coming home on junior Megan Gaylord's (Portland, Ore.) RBI single to left center. Unfortunately for the Warriors, SOU's Caudill got a game-ending ground out with Gaylord on second base to end Corban's threat and the game.

Offensively for the Warriors, Gaylord and Jones each registered a pair of hits to go along with Strange, Batey, and Childers who each recorded a hit in the opener. Sisler went the distance in the circle for Corban allowing four runs (all earned) on 10 hits while striking out a pair of Raider hitters.

Southern Oregon was led by Caudill both offensively and pitching, as the right-hander went 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs before taking her position in the circle and going the distance. Caudill allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits, while recording a game-high six strikeouts in the circle for the Red Raiders.

Game #2 - Corban 6, Southern Oregon 5

In the night cap, Corban got the game's opening run when sophomore Jessica Pierce (Kennewick, Wash.) roped a double to left center before advancing to third on Gaylord's sacrifice bunt back to the pitcher. Jones then brought Pierce home via an RBI single to center field for the Warriors' first run of the finale.

Southern Oregon wasted no time in tying the game at 1-all when Price blasted her first home run of the season to left field.

In the top of the fifth inning, Southern Oregon added three runs when Alvarez led off the inning with a single down the left field line and then advanced to second via Caudill's infield bunt base hit. Both runners then advanced one base via a pass ball before Alvarez came home when Ricci Coultas reached base safely on the Warriors' lone error of the afternoon. Three batters later with the bases loaded, Danielle Stratton brought home Caudill and Coultas with a two-RBI single through the left side to give the visiting team a 4-1 lead.

In the bottom half of the fifth inning, Corban put three runs of its own on the board as Pierce notched her second hit of the night cap via a single to left field before advancing to second after SOU's left fielder kicked the ball towards center field. Gaylord then reached via a throwing error by Southern Oregon's third baseman that allowed Pierce to score all the way from second. Gaylord then advanced to second via a pass ball before moving to third on Jones' infield bunt single. The very next batter -- Batey -- brought Gaylord home via an RBI single to center field before Guest tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI ground out that allowed Jones to score from third. After Sisler was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and third, SOU's catcher gunned down Sisler who was attempting to steal second before Batey was thrown out at the plate as she was looking to score the go-ahead run.

In the top of the seventh inning, Southern Oregon got a single run when Coultas led off the inning with a single to center field before advancing to second on a pass ball. A sacrifice bunt by Simon moved the runner up to third before Price brought Coultas home via a sacrifice fly to right field to put the visiting Red Raiders up by a mere run (5-4) therefore setting up Batey's heroics.

Trailing by a single run with the top of the order due up, Corban opened the seventh inning with a Gaylord ground out to short before Jones reached base via her fourth infield single of the game. After Jones stole second, Batey blasted a 1-2 pitch to straight away center field for her first home run of the season ending the game and helping the Warriors each a split with the Red Raiders.

Corban was led offensively by Jones, who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Meanwhile, Batey was 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs to go along with Strange and Pierce who each collected two hits in the night cap. Pitching-wise for the Warriors, Sailors went the distance allowing five runs (1 earned) on seven hits while fanning a game-high 12 Raiders.

Southern Oregon was led by Caudill and Coultas, who each recorded a pair of hits to go along with Joelle Riekeman's pitching performance in which she allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits to go along with four K's.

With the split, Corban is now 5-14 overall, 2-6 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action. Meanwhile, Southern Oregon finds itself at 6-14 overall, 4-4 in CCC play. The Warriors will return to the diamond on Thursday, April 3rd, when Corban host the Cavaliers of Concordia beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.

Source: Corban Sports Information

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