NOT FAR AWAY
Warriors show they belong with best of the best
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
By Brandon Petersen
Facing the No. 1 team in the nation, Westcliff proved Sunday that the gap between contender and challenger is narrowing.
The Warriors pushed top-ranked Southern Oregon to the brink in Game 1 of a doubleheader, falling just short in a tightly contested 4-3 battle that showcased Westcliff's growth and ability to compete with one of the NAIA's elite programs inning for inning.
Westcliff struck first in the second inning when Sara Ellerton launched a two-run blast to left-center field, scoring Alyssa Lopez and giving the Warriors an early 2-0 lead against an unbeaten Southern Oregon pitching staff.
Behind a strong complete-game effort from Madison Mendez, the Warriors controlled the early tempo, limiting the high-powered Raiders lineup while playing clean, confident defense.
Southern Oregon found its breakthrough in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a key RBI double and a sequence that included unearned runs to take a 4-2 advantage. Westcliff answered immediately when Mendez delivered a solo shot in the bottom half of the frame, cutting the deficit to one and shifting momentum back toward the Warriors.
From there, the matchup settled into a tense duel. Despite nine strikeouts from Southern Oregon starter Ayla Davies, Westcliff continued to apply pressure, forcing the nation's top-ranked team to execute late to preserve the victory.
Though the result fell just short, the performance reflected a program capable of competing with the best in the country, trading blows with the top-ranked Raiders deep into the final inning.
Game 2: Southern Oregon 7, Westcliff 1
Southern Oregon completed the doubleheader sweep with a 7-1 victory in Game 2, using a four-run fifth inning to create separation after a tightly contested start.
Westcliff battled early and briefly pulled even in the fourth inning when Ellerton scored to tie the game at 1-1, but the Raiders' offense capitalized on timely extra-base hits to regain control. Cici Kim drove in four runs for Southern Oregon, while Vanessa Lang recorded three hits to pace the top-ranked lineup.
The Warriors collected four hits in the contest, including singles from Mendez, Alyssa Patlan, Ellerton and Jasmyn Lara, as Westcliff continued to gain valuable experience against elite-level competition.