CALDWELL, Idaho – No. 6 Oregon Tech started a four-game series against No. 23 College of Idaho by winning the first two games on Friday at Symms Field.
The Owls (30-14, 18-5 CCC) won the opener 5-0 and came from behind late to take the second game 4-2.
OIT started the scoring in Game 1 on a single up the middle off the bat of Aubrie Businger in the third inning to make it 1-0.
Kaila Mick then grounded into a fielder's choice that plated Lexi Klum in the fifth for the Owls, with Krista Ward adding some insurance with a three-run homer in the seventh.
Sarah Abramson (17-4) pitched a complete game two-hit shutout in the circle for OIT, striking out nine.
Hannah McNerney (10-6) started for the Yotes (30-14, 18-5 CCC) and allowed a solo earned run in four innings of work, scattering five hits and striking out four.
In Game 2, both starting pitchers were effective early, allowing just one combined hit entering the bottom of the third.
With one out in the third,
Haley Loffer reached on a bunt base hit and advanced to second on a stolen base.
Kylie Smith then traded places with her on a double to the gap in left-center.
Up 1-0, C of I starter
Annie Polster escaped a jam in the fourth after the Owls had put runners on first and second with just one out. The freshman from West Richland, Wash. got out of the frame by getting Kennedy Jantzi to line out to short and by striking out Maggie Buckholz.
Both teams brought one run across in the fifth, starting with OIT loading the bases for Businger, who was hit by a pitch to even things up at 1-1.
C of I responded right back in the bottom half with a home run to left-center off the bat of Loffer, marking her seventh of the season to go up 2-1.
Reliever
Loryn Fonger then held the Owls in check in the sixth, stranding a runner at second by finishing the frame with back-to-back flyouts.
In the seventh, Fonger retired Klum on a flyout to left to start the inning. McKenna Armantrout followed with a double down the line in left, with Mick reaching on an error. Mick would then go on to steal second, putting runners on second and third with one out. Businger went on to pop out to Loffer on the cut of the outfield grass, putting OIT down to their final out. A two-run double by Ward gave the Owls the lead and a Jantzi single to left made it 4-2.
Abramson picked up the win in relief for OIT, working the final 2 2/3 innings and allowing one hit.
The Yotes and Owls are now tied for second in the Cascade Conference, with a doubleheader set for Saturday at 11 a.m. Between games, the seniors for C of I will be recognized.
