Box Score COLUMBUS, Ga. – A three-run third inning, capped by an Ashley Van Horne home run, was enough for the College of Idaho, as the Lady Yotes defeated No. 4 ranked Olivet Nazarene, 3-0, in an elimination game at the NAIA Softball World Series.
Nickayla Skinner tossed a four-hit shutout, her 11th of the season, as the Lady Yotes (34-17) advanced to meet top-seeded and second-ranked Louisiana State-Alexandria on Monday at 1 p.m. (EDT)
A day after being shutout, C of I finally broke through against the Tigers (49-5-1), as Paige Gabiola singled with one out in the third and stole second base. Briana Brace followed with a single to right that scored Gabiola to give the Yotes a 1-0 lead. Van Horne extended the margin four pitches later, smashing a two-run shot over the center field wall.
It was more than enough for Skinner, who allowed just two runners in scoring position all afternoon. The right-hander stranded a pair of runners in the first, then surrendered a two-out double to Jordyn Truelock in the third, but got Hannah Gardner to ground out to end the threat.
Five different C of I hitters recorded one hit in the victory, with Truelock going 2-for-3 in the loss for ONU.
Game Notes – The victory marked the highest ranked opponent C of I has ever defeated in the 13 year history of the program, as the Yotes upended No. 5 Cal State San Marcos in the NAIA Opening Round Bracket…Skinner's win was her 25th of the season, equaling her own single-season school record…the 34 wins by the Yotes are the third-highest total in program history, behind the 36 recorded last year and the school record of 37 set in 2007…ONU came into the tournament having won 49 of their past 50 games…the Tigers failed to score a run in the NAIA Softball World Series, after scoring runs in each of their first 53 games.
