WATCH | STATS

HELENA, Mont. -- The Carroll College Fighting Saints softball team is in Ashland, Oregon, for the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament and will face No. 17 Corban University in the first round on Friday morning at 10 a.m. 

"It's a tough league," Saints coach Aaron Jackson said. "To be in the postseason is a great accomplishment. We have been able to do it two years in a row."

The Saints (19-22), now in their fifth year with a softball program, have qualified for the conference tournament for a second consecutive season and in three of the past four seasons. Carroll earned the No. 5 seed and will meet a challenging test in No. 4-seed Corban (34-12). 

Carroll will look for more big performances from junior Anna ApRoberts (.356 BA, 27 RBI, three HR), freshman Amber Brewer (.345 BA, 26 RBI, three home runs) and junior Brooke Yarnall (.327 BA, seven RBI). 

On the mound, the trio of Tess Eaton (7-9, 3.33 ERA), Ali Williams (10-6, 4.04 ERA) and Brooke Brown (2-7, 7.08 ERA) have led the Saints this season. 

The Warriors, a Top 25 mainstay throughout the season, bring a strong offense into the tournament. Corban is ranked No. 11 in stolen bases per game (2.4). The Warriors are led by Jessie Isham, who leads the CCC in hitting at .471 with seven home runs and 47 RBI. On the mound, Rachel White (9-3, 2.27 ERA) is Corban's top threat. 

When the Saints went to the tournament last year they fell twice in tight battles. Carroll learned from those losses.  

"A year ago we lost two close ones," Jackson said. "The goal now is not only to just be there, it's to win some games. Our group now knows what to expect."

In the double elimination format, the Saints will either play their second game on Friday at 2 p.m. or on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. with an opponent yet to be determined. 

WATCH | STATS