CALDWELL, Idaho - RV College of Idaho battled back multiple times Saturday but defensive miscues proved costly as the Yotes fell to No. 1 Southern Oregon University, 8-6 and 9-3, in a Cascade Conference softball doubleheader at Symms Field.
The Yotes (12-10, 1-5 CCC) erased a late deficit in the opener and showed flashes of offensive firepower throughout the day, but the Raiders (19-7, 3-3 CCC) capitalized on errors and timely hitting to secure the sweep.
In the first game, College of Idaho answered early and stayed within striking distance throughout. An RBI double from Lena Zahniser in the first inning tied the game, and the Yotes took a 2-1 lead in the third on an RBI single from Hallie Campbell. After Southern Oregon moved ahead late, the Yotes rallied again in the eighth when Kina Watts tripled home a run and later scored on Zahniser's second RBI hit of the day to knot the score at 4-4.
Southern Oregon broke through in the ninth with a two-run home run from Ari Williams and added two more runs in the frame. College of Idaho responded with two runs in the bottom half, including an RBI single from Watts, but the comeback fell short. Watts finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a triple to lead the Yotes, while Zahniser added two hits and two RBIs as the hosts totaled nine hits.
The Raiders carried the momentum into game two, scoring five runs in the opening inning as wild pitches and defensive miscues extended the frame. College of Idaho answered with a solo home run from Isabella Fazzio in the second, and the Yotes added two more in the fifth when Kamryn Ham tripled and Watts followed with a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 8-3.
Southern Oregon added an insurance run in the seventh and held the Yotes to six hits the rest of the way. Watts finished 2-for-3 with the home run and two RBIs in the nightcap, while Ham recorded two hits as well.
Despite the losses, the Yotes showed offensive resilience with 15 hits across the doubleheader and several late pushes against the nation's top-ranked Raiders.
