After being swept on Friday, the Yotes (30-18, 12-12 CCC) flipped the script with a 6-1 win in Game 1 and an 11-0, five-inning run-rule victory in Game 2, holding the Redhawks (17-31, 11-13 CCC) to just one run across the day.
Simpson struck first in the opener on a lead-off solo home run by Brianna Lopez-Cortez, but College of Idaho quickly answered with a five-run second inning to take control.
The Yotes tied the game when Lena Zahniser scored during the rally, before Chloe Flerchinger helped spark momentum at the top of the order. Madelyn Powell delivered the big swing of the inning with a two-RBI double, helping stretch the lead to 5-1. The Yotes added one more insurance run later, while Kina Watts was sharp in the circle, going the distance and allowing just one run.
Game 2 belonged to the Yotes from the start, as they steadily built pressure before breaking it open with a seven-run fourth inning.
Early on, Chloe Flerchinger drove in a run in the second, and the offense spread out from there. Emily Hughes singled and scored, Ysabella Villegas added an RBI base hit, and Kamryn Ham also drove in a run as the lead grew quickly in the third.
The fourth inning put the game out of reach. Flerchinger doubled and scored, Hallie Campbell delivered a three-run home run, and Katie Sturm capped the frame with a three-RBI double as the Yotes surged ahead 11-0.
Rylee Smith was dominant in the circle in Game 2, throwing a five-inning shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out four.
The senior class of Chloe Flerchinger, Rylee Smith, Emily Hughes, Ysabella Villegas, Lena Zahniser, Madelyn Powell, and Grace Neer all played a role in the weekend response. Flerchinger and Villegas helped fuel the offense, Smith anchored the pitching staff in Game 2, Hughes contributed key hits and runs scored, Zahniser sparked early momentum in Game 1, and Powell delivered a record-setting weekend at the plate, breaking the program's career home run mark.
Neer, sidelined by injury, was honored in the finale, throwing a ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 2.
Saturday's opener carried significant postseason implications, as College of Idaho and Simpson entered the matchup tied in the Cascade Conference standings with identical league records. With both teams jockeying for position in the final weekend of conference play, the Yotes' Game 1 victory proved crucial, ultimately securing them the No. 5 seed in the upcoming CCC tournament.
With production up and down the lineup and contributions from both veterans and underclassmen, the Yotes closed their home slate with a strong all-around showing and a much-needed bounce-back sweep.
