CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho opened up home and Cascade Collegiate Conference play with a pair of 8-0 wins over Warner Pacific on a chilly Friday afternoon. The two wins extends the Yotes' winning streak to 11 games as C of I raises its record to 12-2 overall and 2-0 in CCC play. The Knights fall to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in CCC action.
The first game saw the C of I offense pound out seven hits and scored eight runs – four each in the first two innings en route to the 8-0, five inning victory. All the offense gave starting pitcher
Hannah McNerney ample support, who stifled the Knights' hitters as she allowed just a first inning single to Savannah Roddey. She retired the final 17 batters in order, including the third inning where she struck out the side.
For the Yotes'
Tanner Higgins went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs and
Hattie Hruza went 2-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI in the win. C of I sent eight batters to the plate in its half of the first inning including RBI hits by Kailey Christensen,
Tanner Higgins and Hruza as they plated four runs on three hits for the early lead. Four more runs came across in the second – two of which came in on a two-RBI single by Hruza to go along with an RBI single by
Kylie Smith. Leadoff batter
Haley Loffer did not record an official at bat as she drew two walks. In the first inning, she stole a pair of bases as her steal of second was the 79th of her career to set a new C of I career record. The previous mark of 78 was held by Heather Kirtley (2004-07).
The nightcap was another masterful performance in the circle by the Yotes to go along with a strong showing at the plate with eight runs on six hits in an 8-0 win over WPU. The masterful performance in the circle saw
Katelyn Wilfert throw a no-hitter – the first by a Yote pitcher since March 13, 2021 by
Annie Polster against Providence (Mont.).
Again, it was the first inning that set the tone in the win as the Yotes plated four runs in the inning. Two of the runs came in on a fielder's choice by Navarrete, who had a ball that was hit to the WPU shortstop where her throw to home managed to ricochet off the bat of Navarrete.
The offense was led by
Kylie Smith, who had two of the six hits for the Yotes to go along with two runs scored and two RBIs in the win.
Haley Loffer and
Tanner Higgins each scored twice in the win for C of I.
The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday at 11 a.m.
