Helena, Mont. | Consistency continues to be a point of emphasis that is desperately needed for the Warner Pacific University Softball team (2-18, 1-11), as they dropped the final two games of the weekend conference series at Carroll College (7-15, 4-8), with game one ending 7-15, and the non-conference contest with a final score of 1-16.
 
Game 1
 
After two quick strikeouts in order began the game, Warner Pacific showed signs of life in the top of the first inning, as a hit by pitch and single quickly gave them runners on first and second base, something the Knights need to have in order for them to have offensive success.
 
Just like in game two yesterday, junior first baseman Emma Foster found the pitch she was looking for, driving a deep shot over the left field fence, and giving Warner Pacific their first lead of the series against the Saints, 3-0.
 
Knights' starting pitcher Sammie Brauckmiller (0-5) was able to get out of the bottom of the first inning unscathed after allowing a pair of singles, but the second inning would be her downfall, as Carroll put up nine runs in the frame to flip the WPU lead, and the Knights would trail 3-9 following the second.
 
The Saints would add another run in the bottom of the third inning, before E. Foster launched another home run in the top of the fourth; a solo shot over the centerfielders head, making the deficit 4-10 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Carroll tallied another run in their frame of the fourth, but the Knights persisted and wouldn't let this one get too far out of reach in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Warner Pacific rallied to score three runs, all of which came via a walk with the bases loaded, and a single the next at-bat by freshman catcher Jessie Ramirez to score two more. The Knights had momentum, but needed their defense to step up and keep the Saints at bay.
 
Unfortunately for Warner Pacific, the defense just couldn't hold any longer, as Carroll matched the Knights with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth, then added the final run they needed in the bottom of the sixth to end this contest early by run-rule, 7-15 being the final.
 
Brauckmiller finished the start for Warner Pacific through 1.1 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, six of which went in the scorebook as earned. C. Foster and sophomore relief pitcher Abby Carlson each allowed four runs apiece in the relief of Brauckmiller, allowing 12 more hits between the two of them.
 
E. Foster continues to rake for the Knights in Montana, accounting for three runs on 2-for-2 batting, both of which cleared the field of play for home runs. She matched her RBI total in game two of yesterday's doubleheader with four RBIs in game one today. Senior shortstop/relief pitcher Carrigan Foster added two runs off one hit in one at-bat, while advancing to first base on a walk as well.
 
Saints' starting pitcher Abby Hanley (6-7) earned the win once again for Carroll, but not without some late-game reentering to secure the victory, after relief pitcher Josie Barker struggled to induce outs for Carroll. Hanley finished with 5.1 innings of work, allowing three hits for four runs, walking two and striking out six along the way. Barker managed to pitch 0.2 innings in the top of the fifth, allowing one hit, three runs, and five walks to the Knights.
 
The top of the lineup was where Carroll found a majority of their offense, as Kenna Thomas, who hit lead-off and played second base for Carroll, batted a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs and nabbed two RBIs thanks to a pair of doubles. Leftfielder Kirsten Norris and rightfielder Amber Brewer each smashed for three hits apiece, while Norris tallied three RBIs and a run scored.
 
Game 2
 
The non-conference finale to the four-game series went entirely in the opposite direction for what Warner Pacific was looking to achieve, as the Saints blew the door open from the first inning, and never looked back.
 
Carlson (2-8) started in the circle in game two today, allowing seven runs on five hits, and failing to induce an out in the first inning. Carroll went on to score 11 runs in the first, then followed it with five in the third en route to their 16-1 victory in the 5.0 innings of ball needed.
 
E. Foster and junior relief pitcher Marissa Bradshaw both worked out of the bullpen for the Knights, with Foster allowing four runs on five hits in 0.2 innings pitched, while Bradshaw gave up five runs off eight hits in the remaining 3.1 innings of defense.
 
Sophomore leftfielder Faith Vadelund collected Warner Pacific's only RBI of game two, scoring Brauckmiller from third in the top of the fifth inning.
 
Saints' Barker (1-6), who struggled in game one against WPU batters, rebounded for her first win of the season in the non-conference bout, allowing just one run on three hits, walking two and striking out four Warner Pacific players.
 
Carroll's Thomas had yet another dominate showing at the plate, as she mirrored her first game with a 4-for-4 performance in game two, plating two RBIs and scoring two runs as well. Third baseman Haley Kampka slugged all over the field in game two, collecting three hits and five RBIs, while scoring two herself.
 
Warner Pacific Softball returns to Erv Lind Stadium this upcoming week, where they will host the Northwest University Eagles in their third home series in the last four weeks. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 1pm PDT, with game two shortly to follow the conclusion of game one.