NAIA Softball: Linfield Takes Two From Corban

The third-ranked Wildcats lived up to their billing, raising their season record to 10-2, while Corban drops to 2-12-1.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

McMINNVILLE - Corban's softball team ran into the NCAA Division III's No. 3-ranked Wildcats of Linfield on Tuesday and fell, 5-0 & 11-0, at the Linfield softball diamond despite a pair of hits by sophomore Megan Gaylord in the twin bill.

The third-ranked Wildcats lived up to their billing, raising their season record to 10-2, while Corban drops to 2-12-1.

Game #1 - Linfield 5, Corban 0

Linfield freshman Samantha Van Noy held the Warriors to a single hit and Stephanie Rice went 2-for-3 and scored twice as the Wildcats notched the shutout victory in the opener.

Corban sophomore starter Erin Sailors tossed a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts, but Linfield took advantage of its speed on the base paths to chalk up eight stolen bases.

A sacrifice fly by Amanda Attleberger in the first inning scored Rice and Jenny Marshall, providing all the runs Linfield would need.

The Wildcats padded their lead in the fourth. Jessica Popiel walked, stole second and third, then scored on a passed ball. Meredith Brunette slapped a sacrifice fly that scored Rice from third and Linfield led 4-0.

Another passed ball in the sixth allowed Jena Loop to score for the final margin.

Van Noy improved to 4-1. The Sherwood High School graduate walked three and struck out five.

Game #2 - Linfield 11, Corban 0

A four-run first inning put the Warriors in the hole from the get-go. Loop’s single drove in a pair of runs, then a triple by Attleberger scored two more.

Linfield added four more runs in the second as Marshall delivered a three-run single, then Attleberger doubled to the center field fence to send home Loop.

Brunette launched a three-run homer off Sailors in the third and the Wildcats led 11-0.

The game was halted after the fifth inning by the eight-run rule.

Wildcats pitcher Brittany Miller tossed a two-hitter, improving to 2-1 this season. The sophomore right-hander fanned five Warriors while giving up one walk.

Loop went 2 for 2, scored twice and drove in a pair of runs. Marshall and Brunette each had three RBIs.

Gaylord and freshman Siriana Guest accounted for the Warriors’ only hits, while Sailors pitched a combined 8.0 innings in the double header.

Corban returns to Cascade Conference action Friday, March 23rd, with a 2:00 PM twin bill on Warrior Field against Albertson College of Idaho.

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