SALEM, Ore. – A tough Corban University squad handed Lady Argo softball two losses in UGF's last regular season conference games, making the team's conference hopes slightly dimmer. Game 1 was close, with UGF losing 6-4, while Corban won Game 2 confidents, 6-1.
 
Chloe Cross (3) led off for a UGF offense that played effective small ball in the first inning. Cross and fellow senior Mindy Larson (4) each singled to left as the first to batters and then each advanced a base on a ground out by Alex Lowry (14). Another single, this time from junior Haley Gruntowicz (19) brought cross home and Larson soon followed off of an RBI fielder's choice from the bat of senior Keeley Van Blaricom (6).
 
Van Blaricom stepped into the pitching circle for her first inning of the day with a 2-0 lead, but the Warriors responded with three runs of their own off of a three RBI homer. Another run in the bottom of the 2nd for Corban put UGF down 4-2.
 
That lead disappeared in the top of the 5th with one swing of the bat from Larson. The senior made perfect contact to hit her second home run of the season which also drove in Cross.
 
UGF made through the bottom of the 5th without allowing another run, but Corban broke through again in the 6th, scoring a game winning and insurance run off of Van Blaricom.
 
Cross and Larson carred the UGF offense throughout with each scoring two runs off of two hits and Larson driving in the two runs that she didn't score herself. That Game 1 magic, didn't translate to Game 2, however. Neither player finished the game with a run or RBI during the back end of the doubleheader.
 
The one run that UGF did manage to score in Game 2 came off of an RBI single from junior catcher Jocelyn Kaufman (15) that brought home junior Jackie Thomas (7). Thomas's run was the last of the game and came in the top of the 7th, ending a Corban shutout bid but not getting UGF nearly close enough to the Warrior's six earlier runs.
 
The biggest games of the day for UGF, weren't suppose be their own, but instead the doubleheader between Eastern Oregon University and The College of Idaho, which would determine their final divisional standings. That doubleheader was postponed due to rain and will be played tomorrow.
 
UGF's two losses to Corban brings the team's record to 22-16 (16-12/6-6) but won't effect the Lady Argo's chances of earning one of the Cascade Conference East Division's two playoff qualifying spots. They could hurt UGF's chances of earning the conference's sixth playoff spot which goes to either the East's 3rd team of the West's 4th.
 
The playoff picture should be come much clearer after the EOU vs. C of I game.
 
While conference play is over for the Lady Argos, the regular season isn't. The team will travel to Missoula, Mont., on April 26 for a doubleheader against the University of Montana at 3:30 & 5:30 p.m.