SALEM, Ore. | Payton Hergert sent one beyond the fence for her second homer of the season on Friday as the Warner Pacific University softball faced off against (RV) Corban University in day one of a two-day series on Friday. The Knights fell to the Warriors in both games on the day; 0-3, 12-4, respectively.
 
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The Rundown
Game one of the four-game, two-day series was a battle from the start. Both pitchers were throwing well, getting their teams through five innings before a run was scored.
Getting on the board first, the Warriors had a strong sixth inning, scoring three runs that ultimately claimed the victory for Corban. The team closed out the first game with 12 hits and a three-run sixth inning.
After giving up a late victory to the Warriors, the Knights came in hot in game two. With just one out in inning one, Knights junior Payton Hergert stepped to the plate to send one far beyond the boundary for a two-run home run.  A hit that started a hot streak for the Knights; going on to score four runs in just the first inning to take a 4-1 lead.
 
Despite the hot offensive hand the Knights were dealing, the defense struggled to equate. The very next inning, the Warner Pac defense gave up five Warrior runs and just like that, the lead was 6-4.
 
The Warriors kept firing, ultimately scoring six more runs on seven hits in just three innings, and closing out the game in six innings with a 12-4 victory.
Corban found contact with the ball 27 times, as opposed to the Knights' eight.
 
Deeper Look
Emma Foster took the mound for the first time of the season
 
Flash Forward
The Knights and Warriors face off in the final day of the series on Saturday with game times at 11am and 1pm.