CALDWELL, Idaho – As they have done in each of the past two seasons, the NCU softball team recovered from a mercy-rule in game one to salvage a road split with CCC power College of Idaho. The Yotes took the opener 11-2 and the Beacons claimed the second game, 8-4.
 
The Yotes sacked NCU early in the first game, scoring nine runs in the first inning. The home team was ahead 11-0 before the Beacons were finally able to score. In the top of the fourth, Freshman Kyndle DelCollo hit her first career home run, scoring herself and Anita Singh. Singh had been the most productive bat in the game for NCU, as she batted 3-for-3 with a trio of singles.
 
Breanne Johnson (3-7) took the loss for NCU, allowing eight runs and recording just one out.
 
Game two proved to be the more competitive battle as the teams traded leads three times with the Beacons emerging with a four-run eighth inning for the victory.
 
The Yotes got on the board first, posting a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. NCU quickly answered in the top of the fifth, scoring all three runs on a home run to deep center field from senior Parker Fritter. It was the 31st career homer for Fritter who now sits just one bomb shy of tying NCU's career record.
 
The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the sixth inning when C of I posted a pair of runs on a double from Destinee Turner. Down to their final two outs, NCU scored when Jessica Garner crossed the plate on an RBI groundout from pinch-hitter Paige Griffith. Garner had led off the inning with a double.
 
Tied up at 3-3, the game went to an extra inning when the Beacons put it away. After a strikeout to open the frame, three consecutive singles loaded the bases for Griffith who made it four straight singles, scoring Madi Novelli from third for the game-winner.
 
Ashlee Cole was next to the plate and the sophomore was walked, bringing home another run. Then Fritter stepped to the plate and doubled to left center, scoring two runs to put the game out of reach.
 
Janieve Boyles (3-6) got the victory for NCU, throwing all eight innings and allowing just two earned runs on seven hits. Garner finished the game batting 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and two stolen bases. Fritter was 3-for-5, collecting five RBI.
 
The Beacons (10-22, 4-8 CCC) will finally return home this Saturday when they play host to Corban University for a CCC double-header.