KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Carroll College Softball team could not find a win today in a double header with the No. 5 team in the NAIA, Oregon Tech, in Klamath Falls, Ore.
The Fighting Saints (7-10, 3-5) were unable to find a way to outscore one of the nation's best, Oregon Tech (14-5, 7-1), this afternoon, playing in a snow delayed series opening double header in Klamath Falls.
The Owls struck early in the first game, going up 1-0 on a single up the middle in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. They would extend their lead in the third inning when Maggie Buckholz blasted a three-run home run to put Oregon Tech up 4-0. The Owls would get three additional runs in the third and take a commanding 7-0 lead.
In the fifth inning,
Kenna Thomas (Belgrade, Mont. / SO) would provide a dinger of her own. Thomas blasted a three-run homer to right-center field to bring Carroll within four runs, 7-3.
Unfortunately for the Saints, that would be as close as they would get. The Owls added three more runs in the sixth inning to take game one, 10-3.
Abby Hanley (Las Vegas, Nev. / SR) pitched 5 and one-third innings in game one, striking out two batters in the process.
As has been the case in nearly every Saints loss, the bats were cold. Carroll went just 4-25 as a team in the opener.
Back-to-back jacks from the Owls spelled early trouble for Carroll in game two. Oregon Tech put up three runs in the bottom of the first, including tow solo home runs to lead off the inning.
Jessica Nimmo (Las Vegas, Nev. / SR) provided the Saints only scoring in the top of the second, driving in
Kenna Thomas on an RBI single to left field.
Carroll would be unable to score the rest of the way, and the Owls would go on to win in five innings, 9-1.
Kennedy Venner (Billings, Mont. / FR) gained some valuable experience on the mound in the second game. Although credited with the loss, the Freshman pitched the entire game and picked up five strikeouts on the No. 5 team in the country.
The Saints and the Owls will complete their four game series tomorrow with another doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. MST.
Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a recap the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.
