EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University softball team dropped another high-scoring affair on Tuesday afternoon, falling to Corban University, 15-11. The teams combined for 27 hits in the back-and-forth battle at James Park.

NCU drew first blood, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Randi Kostner scored on an errant throw to the outfield on a double-steal and Parker Bonife came home on single by Jill Suratt.

Corban answered with five runs in the second and another three in the third to make it an 8-2 game. NCU put one more on the board in the bottom of the third when Laynee Bevans scored on a Kostner double. Then in the bottom of the fourth NCU scored seven runs, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Bonife, and the Beacons were back in the lead, 10-8.

The Warriors took back the lead for good in the fifth inning with four more runs, then insured the victory with a three-run seventh.

Kostner (pictured) finished the game batting 4-for-4 for the Beacons with three runs and two RBI. Bevans was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI while Suratt finished 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Jordan Bennett took the loss for the Beacons in relief, allowing four runs over 2 2/3 innings of work. Bre Johnson started the game, allowing eight runs (four earned) over the first 2 1/3.

Corban belted out 16 hits in the game, including three home runs and seven doubles. Aubrene Blas, Kyrianna Sorensen, and McCayla Hoffman all went yard for the visitors. Hoffman batted 2-for-4 in the game with four RBI and a three runs scored.

Samantha Gutwig picked up the victory in relief, allowing one run on just one hit over the final 3 2/3 innings.

Following the game, the teams resumed and completed the final two innings of a game that was originally played in Portland last week before being called for darkness. Corban held on to the 7-1 carry-over lead for the same final score.

NCU will be back in action this weekend with a pair of scrimmages, being hosted by Clackamas Community College at Hood View Park. NCU will take on Clackamas at 10:00 am followed by a clash with Bellevue CC at 2:00 pm. The next regular-season game will be in Monmouth on March 11 when the Beacons travel to take on Western Oregon University at 1:00 pm.