Warriors capture 4th place at season-opening tournament

February 19, 2007

MANTECA, Calif. - Despite falling in their final game of the Priscilla Benham Memorial Softball Tournament in Manteca, California this weekend, the Corban softball team still returned home having taken fourth place.

Freshman Siriana Guest led all players with five hits in 10 at-bats, including the Warriors' first home run of the season. (Photo courtesy of Blaine Bartlett)

The Warrior pitching staff was much celebrated as it combined for six strikeouts in Corban’s opening-game loss to Dominican University 8-0 in Friday’s first game. Freshman Siriana Guest (Salem, Ore.) helped the Warriors to bounce back later that same day, however, as she gave a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with a pair of RBIs in Corban’s 6-4 loss to the Coyotes of Albertson College of Idaho.

"Erin Sailors was a machine, pitching in every game for us," Guest said. "And she pitched hard."

Guest got the Salem-based squad back where it belonged the following day as she blasted the Warriors’ first homerun of the season in the fifth inning of Corban’s 3-3 tie with the Bruins of Bethany College on Saturday. Sophomore Erin Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska) and junior Kelley Seaton (Salem, Ore.) had pleasing performances while pitching well in the tie. Junior Lindsay Batey (Aloha, Ore.) struck her first homerun of the season and recorded 3 RBIs later that same day as the Warriors won their first game of the season against Patten University 8-3. Guest also recorded a triple in the win.

"Our win was the one game where everything seemed to click," Batey said. "And we played really well."

In Sunday’s third place game, Corban’s 1-2-1 record pitted them in a rematch with the same Lions of Patten University that they had knocked off just a day earlier. Unfortunately, Corban was overcome by the tournament-hosts 6-1 in their second encounter. Freshman Kacie Emerick (Bellingham, Wash.) scored the lone run for the Warriors and Sailors pitched the first four innings as Corban walked away fourth place over the weekend.

"This last weekend was a good start to the season and I only see us improving on the progress we have made so far," Batey added. "I feel confident that this is going to be a fun and successful year!"

Upon earning a 1-3-1 overall record, Corban’s softball team has begun an exciting season behind first year head coach Michelle Hext. The team will be in action next Tuesday, February 27th, when the Warriors travel north to McMinnville for a double-header against NCAA Division III member Linfield beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Story by James Young, Corban College Sports Information Intern