SALEM, Ore. – Northwest University battled to the very end with the No. 17-ranked Warriors in the first two games of the four game series, falling 2-0 in the first game and 3-2 in the second game.
Game one: Northwest University 0, No. 17 Corban University 2
Rachel White, a senior for the Warriors, had the Eagles' number as she threw a complete game shutout, holding the Eagles to only three hits in seven innings. She also tallied three strikeouts against the 25 batters faced. White earned her eighth win on the season.
Rachel Hawley, a junior for Northwest University, made the Warriors fight for their victory in the pitching duel. Hawley threw six innings and gave up seven hits, two runs, and two walks. Although Hawley did not strike the Warriors out at the plate, she relied on her infield to suppress the Warriors' offense. The Eagles' defense supported Hawley with 12 groundouts and no errors in the game.
Alexis Contreras, Sam Parisio, and Nicola Fish each had singles for the Eagles; two of the three hits came in the first inning. The Eagles' only threat to score came in the sixth inning when Jordan Dippel reached first on a walk. She later advanced to third, but the Eagles were unable to bring her home.
Game two: Northwest University 2, No. 17 Corban University 3
Northwest University took advantage of an early error by the Warriors and started the second game strong, scoring two unearned runs in the top of the first inning. Jessie Isham, a senior for the Warriors, responded quickly with a homerun in the bottom of the first inning, bringing the game to a 2-1 score.
Isabella Gonzalez controlled the circle for most of the game, allowing seven hits, three runs, and three walks. The game was looking in the Eagles' favor for an upset until the Warriors capitalized on an error in the bottom of the sixth inning, which led to the Warriors tying the game 2-2 going into the final inning. Corban University was able to manufacture a run in the bottom of the seventh to take the 3-2 victory.
Northwest University head coach
Pam Fink remarked, "We have to find the fire. Rachel and Isabella pitched great games. We need to have the run support."