SURPRISE, Ariz. – A pair of six-run innings helped the College of Idaho sweep their season-opening set of games on Day 1 of the OUAZ/Anderson Spirit Classic – defeating Embry Riddle, 11-2, and host Ottawa, 7-4.
Angelina Romero had two doubles and three RBI,
Delaney Atkins had four hits on the day, while both
Kylie Smith and
Courtney Ellis drove in four runs for the Lady Yotes (2-0).
C of I never trailed in the opener against ERAU – scoring four times in the second, thanks to a two-run single by
Kristin Paulazzo, an RBI triple by Ellis and a run-scoring single from Smith.
After the Eagles (1-1) pulled within 4-2 in the bottom of the inning, the Yotes batted around for six runs in the third – taking advantage of a pair of ERAU errors. Romero had a two-run double to make it 6-2, with Ellis adding an RBI single in the frame.
Colette Robert tossed a complete game four-hitter, striking out six in the victory.
Game 2 was much tighter – as the Spirit (0-2) struck first on an Emily Stebbins RBI single in the second. C of I pulled even on an Atkins RBI double in the fourth, but squandered a second and third, one out chance in the fifth.
OUAZ regained the lead on a Miranda Davis RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, before the Yotes broke the game open in their next at bat.
Lacie Miller doubled home two runs, Romero doubled home another and following an Ellis RBI single, Smith roped her own two-base hit to plate two, giving C of I a 7-2 lead.
The Spirit scored a pair of unearned runs in the seventh, but
Nichole Giesy got the final three outs to close out the win.
Sadee Sorsensen pitched two-plus innings of relief to earn the win, working around three hits and a strikeout, with
Ali Longoria going the first four innings, allowing a run on four hits. Atkins was 3-for-4, with Miller and Smith each recording two hits.
The three teams will play a second day of round-robin competition tomorrow, with the Yotes meeting Embry-Riddle at noon and Ottawa at 2:30 p.m.
