SURPRISE, Ariz. –
Hattie Hruza had a four-hit day, as The College of Idaho split a season opening softball doubleheader at Ottawa University of Arizona at Willow Canyon High School.
The host Spirit (1-1) used seven runs between the second and third innings to earn the 7-2 upset win in Game 1, while the No. 2-ranked Yotes used an 11-hit attack to win Game 2, 7-5.
C of I (1-1) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opener, as
Tanner Higgins ripped a 2-run double down the left field line to score
Kylie Smith and
Kaily Christensen. However, OUAZ starter Alexandra McCutcheon would limit the Yotes to just five hits the rest of the way, striking out nine.
Breanna Gonzalez golfed a 2-run homer in the second to tie the score, with the hosts batting around for five third-inning runs, helped by back-to-back 2-run doubles from Jaymie Moore and Madison Collis.
Hruza was the lone C of I player to record multiple hits, going 2-for-3.
The Yotes again started with a bang in Game 2 – as Smith and Lexi Navarette walked in the first and Smith raced home after a wild throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Navarette would follow across the plate on a double-steal to extend the lead to 2-0.
C of I made it 5-1 in the third, as Christensen lined an RBI single and
Kaylee MacDannald added a 2-run single.
OUAZ cut the margin to 5-4 in the fourth, but Hruza answered with a 2-run homer in the fifth to extend the margin.
Hannah McNerney rebounded from a rocky opening start to pitch three strong innings to earn the save, stranding the tying runners in scoring position in the seventh.
MacDannald went 3-for-4 and both Hruza and Christensen had two hits in the victory. Freshman
Jiovana Nuanez earned the win in relief, throwing a scoreless four inning.
C of I continues their weekend in the desert tomorrow with a 10 a.m. doubleheader at Arizona Christian.
