Simpson University defeated the Southern Oregon University softball team in a double-header on Saturday, March 7 at their first home games at University Field. The Raider’s loss came just four days after Simpson shut them out twice.
SOU didn’t get on the board in game one but was able to hold the Redhawks to two runs in a 0-2 loss. Freshman pitcher Brianne Craig gave up eight hits and four walks in her first complete career game. Simpson brought a run in on a left field fly ball in the second inning, and another on a deep fly to right field in the fifth. SOU had six hits with some solid power behind them, but it wasn’t enough to bring one in. Freshman Carlye Avey took the win for Simpson.
The Raiders managed to get on the board in game two and put up a fight to the very end, with a final of 3-8. Sophomore Sydney White started on the mound for SOU and was relived in the sixth by Senior Karlie Stephens. White had five strikeouts and gave up eight runs and 11 hits. Simpson scored two in the first off a strong base hit, and another two in the second off a deep left field fly. Senior Julia Willison crushed a ball to deep center in the fourth and brought Senior Sierra Anderson in for an RBI. A fierce double by Sophomore Sulie Augustine down the left field line drove in Willison and brought it to 2-4.
The Redhawks brought in four more runs in the sixth off a strong double, a walk, and base hits. Stephens was brought in at the end of the sixth to try to change things up for the Raiders offense. Willison led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit and brought in SOU’s final scoring run of the game. White took the loss and is at 1-2.
The Raiders (1-7) will begin Cascade Conference play Friday with a double-header against Northwest Christian. The first game is at 2 p.m. at University Field.
