CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho softball team completed its first series sweep of the season, riding a pair of Saturday victories to finish off a four-game Cascade Conference set against Corban at Symms Field. The Yotes followed up Friday's doubleheader sweep with wins of 6-2 and 8-1 on Saturday, using timely hitting and strong pitching performances to secure the series.
Saturday's games were played in conjunction with First Responders Day, as members of the Caldwell Police Department, Caldwell Fire Department, and the City of Caldwell were recognized. Police Chief Rex Ingram, firefighter Cody Dean, and Mayor Eric Phillips each threw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the doubleheader.
In Game 1, College of Idaho jumped out early and never looked back in a 6-2 win. Kina Watts set the tone with a two-run home run in the first inning, part of a three-run frame that gave the Yotes immediate control. The lead grew in the third, as Isabella Fazzio delivered an RBI double and Hallie Campbell added a two-RBI performance, finishing 2-for-2 at the plate.
Watts (4-2) also earned the win in the circle, allowing two runs on seven hits over five innings, while Drew Williams closed the door with two scoreless frames.
The Yotes carried that momentum into Game 2, pulling away late for an 8-1 victory. College of Idaho again struck first, plating three runs in the opening inning behind an RBI single from Watts and a two-run triple from Marti Anderson.
After adding a run in the third, play was halted following the fifth inning due to a lightning delay, but the break did little to disrupt the Yotes' rhythm. Out of the delay, College of Idaho broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning. Anderson came through again with an RBI single as part of a three-hit, three-RBI day, while Katie Sturm added two hits and an RBI in the win.
Williams (12-6) was dominant in Game 2, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run on six hits and striking out seven.
College of Idaho totaled 14 runs on 18 hits across the doubleheader, capitalizing on early scoring opportunities in both games and adding insurance late in Game 2.
Corban (5-29, 4-17 CCC) saw solid individual efforts despite the losses. Isabel Carattini recorded a pair of hits in Game 1, while Shelby Hillyer and Peyton Foreman each drove in a run. In Game 2, Layla Burgess and Foreman had two hits apiece, and Irene VanDyke accounted for the Warriors' lone RBI.
The Yotes will look to carry the momentum forward as they continue conference play.
