No-Hitter Propels Corban Over Eastern Oregon

With the sweep, Corban improves to 11-16 overall, 8-8 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Junior Erin Sailors broke her own single-season strikeout record Saturday, as she recorded her 10th strikeout of the day in the form of Eastern Oregon's final batter of the doubleheader. Photo courtesy: Corban Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. - Junior Erin Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska) registered her first career no-hitter in today's opener and senior Lindsay Batey (Aloha, Ore.) drove in three RBIs in the finale, as Corban's softball team swept a crucial conference doubleheader against Eastern Oregon, 2-1 & 5-4, Saturday at Warrior Field.

Thanks to the pair of victories, Corban moves into fourth place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings, setting up next weekend's showdown between the Warriors and Red Raiders of Southern Oregon for sole possession of third place. Corban is enjoying a hot-streak, having won their last three games and six of their last seven contests.

Game #1 - Corban 2, Eastern Oregon 1

The opener began with strong defensive play from both teams, as Sailors and EOU pitcher Kelly West prevented any runs from crossing the plate in the first three innings.

Eastern Oregon registered the game’s first run in the top of the fourth inning, as lead off hitter Michelle St. John drew a walk and advanced to third on an error before coming home on a wild pitch.

In the following inning, Corban finally got on the scoreboard as sophomore Kacie Emerick (Bellingham, Wash.) stroked a one-out RBI double into the gap in left center that brought sophomore Josie Strange (Chehalis, Wash.) home from second base. Emerick moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by senior Jennifer Childers (Winston, Ore.) before crossing the plate on an infield RBI-single by freshman Jessie Jones (Gladstone, Ore.) for Corban’s second and final run of the inning.

The Warriors’ two fifth-inning runs proved to be the difference maker in the decision, as Sailors continued her domination in the final two innings. Sailors retired the final EOU batter with her game-high ninth strikeout to secure the no-hitter. The junior right-hander allowed a mere one unearned run, while issuing one walk in her complete game performance.

Offensively, four Warriors tallied one hit as Jones and Emerick each collected an RBI while Strange and junior Megan Gaylord (Portland, Ore.) also got on base.

The Mountaineers were held without a hit, as St. John scored EOU’s only run. Pitcher Kelly West went the distance for EOU, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits in six innings.

Game #2 - Corban 5, Eastern Oregon 4

After a quiet opening frame, the Warriors scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning as Childers hit an RBI-double to right center to score Strange. The very next batter – Gaylord – hit a shot into left field for an RBI-single to bring Childers across the plate.

After two more scoreless innings, Eastern Oregon matched Corban’s two runs on a passed ball and a St. John RBI single to center field in the top of the fifth inning to tie the score at two runs apiece.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Warriors loaded the bases with one out to set the stage for Batey. Working on a full count, Batey rifled a three-RBI double to right center to clear the bases and give Corban a three-run advantage (5-2).

After being held scoreless in the sixth inning, the Mountaineers heated up against Corban freshman Jennifer Kollaer (Albany, Ore.) as the pitcher gave up a two-out, two-RBI single to EOU hitter Lydia Holm to bring Eastern Oregon within one (5-4). Sailors came on in relief for Kollaer to get the game’s final out with her 119th strikeout of the season after the Mountaineers had loaded the bases. With the K, Sailors picked up the save and broke her own program record for strikeouts in one season.

Batey and Kollaer lead the Warrior offense, as Kollaer went 2-for-3 at the plate to go with Batey’s double and three RBIs. Four other Warriors also tallied a hit in game two. In the circle, Kollaer allowed four runs (all unearned) on five hits in 6.2 innings before Sailors allowed a hit in her second relief appearance of the season.

For the Mountaineers, Holm went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to go along with Iris Woodhead’s 2-for-3 performance. Pitching-wise, Teri Cisler allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits in 4.1 innings of work before turning the ball over to Melodee Mildenberger for the final 1.2 innings.

With the sweep, Corban improves to 11-16 overall, 8-8 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Meanwhile, Eastern Oregon falls to 11-19 overall, 6-10 in CCC action. The Warriors are next in action on Friday, April 18th, when they travel south to Ashland to take on the Red Raiders of Southern Oregon beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Source: Corban Sports Information

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