ASHLAND, Ore. - The College of Idaho dropped a rain-delayed 3-1 decision to host Southern Oregon on Tuesday morning in the second round of the NAIA Softball Opening Round in Ashland. With the loss, the Yotes move to 1-1 in the double-elimination bracket and will face an elimination game Wednesday at 11 a.m. PT.
The game began Monday afternoon but was halted in the bottom of the fourth due to rain, with Southern Oregon leading 2-1. When play resumed Tuesday, the Raiders added a solo home run by Hailey Seva in the fifth inning to secure the win.
College of Idaho opened the scoring in the fourth on Monday when Lena Zahniser singled home Madelyn Powell, who had tripled to right field. Southern Oregon answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame, one on a fielder's choice by Faith Moultrie and another on a wild pitch, just before the suspension.
Zahniser finished 3-for-3 with the Yotes' lone RBI, while Powell added a triple and scored the team's only run. Kamryn Ham also recorded a hit as the Yotes managed five hits off SOU ace Ayla Davies, who struck out 14 in a complete-game effort.
Abbey Brooks took the loss for C of I, allowing two earned runs on six hits over three innings. Grace Neer pitched the final three frames, giving up one run on two hits.
The Yotes will return to action Wednesday morning in an elimination matchup, with the winner advancing in the Ashland Bracket. Only the bracket champion will move on to the NAIA Softball World Series.
