COLUMBUS, Ga. – Oregon Tech topped College of Idaho 4-1 on Monday night to advance to the championship series of the NAIA World Series at the South Commons Softball Complex.
The Yotes (44-18) remain alive and well in the chase for a title, with a date set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening against the winner of an elimination game between Southern Oregon and Bethany (Kan.). With a win, C of I would earn a rematch with OIT (49-8) on Wednesday night for all the marbles.
For the Owls, right-hander Sarah Abramson (29-5) picked up the win in the circle by pitching a complete game and allowing six hits, four walks and a run while striking out four.
OIT started the scoring in the top half of the first, scoring two runs on a pair of hits. McKenna Armantrout was walked to leadoff the frame, followed by a Kaila Mick base hit to center. An Aubrie Businger bunt advanced both runners forward to second and third. Maggie Buckholz then connected on an RBI single, while later in the inning an obstruction call at the plate later allowed Mick to score.
A leadoff walk issued to
Haley Loffer in the bottom of the third led to the C of I run. Loffer would advance to second on a
Kylie Smith bunt and to third on a wild pitch. She scored on a
Trystin Crofts sacrifice fly.
The Owls brought in two more runs in the fifth, however reliever
Katelyn Wilfert ensured that there would be no further damage by forcing Businger to ground into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Wilfert went on to pitch 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit while not allowing a run.
Crofts and catcher
Sydney Zachry each went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Yotes.
Lacie Miller added a double in the sixth.
Three of the four remaining teams in the NAIA World Series are from the Cascade Conference, with just Bethany (Kan.) left from outside the CCC.
