CALDWELL, Idaho–  The College of Idaho clinched one of the final Cascade Conference softball playoff spots over the weekend as they took four games from Northwest Christian University. Sophomore
Jessica Garner had three stolen bases over the weekend to break her own single-season record set last year.
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GAME ONE: College of Idaho 8, Northwest Christian 2
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Both teams collected ten hits but the Yotes were the ones able to put up the runs in Friday's series opener. NCU committed four errors in the game, leading to five unearned runs.
Katie Walker went the distance for the Beacons, striking out five.
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Garner went 3-for-3 with an RBI while
Tra Kucera and
Madi Novelli added two hits apiece, all singles.
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GAME TWO: College of Idaho 8, Northwest Christian 0
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The Yotes collected eight runs on 12 hits and closed out the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as the run-rule was put into effect. The Beacons managed two hits in the contest, singles from
Caitlyn Messman and Kucera.
Madi Jones (1-5) took the loss for NCU, striking out one batter in 5.1 innings of work.
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GAME THREE: College of Idaho 6, Northwest Christian 1
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The College of Idaho closed out the sweep of the three-game conference series as they put out six runs on eight hits.
Katie Walker (3-17) allowed just two earned runs in five innings as the Beacons committed four errors.
Janieve Boyles came in to throw a perfect sixth-inning.
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NCU collected three singles including two from
Ereanna Higbee. Garner walked and stole her record-tying 15th bag in the sixth inning, scoring the only run for the Beacons.
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GAME FOUR: College of Idaho 6, Northwest Christian 1
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Garner broke through with her 16th swipe in the non-conference fourth game, another 6-1 victory for C of I. Boyles (0-5) went the distance for the Beacons striking out a pair of batters.
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Kucera and Novelli had the Beacons two hits and Novelli came across the plate for NCU's run.
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Northwest Christian will close out the regular season next weekend, coming home to play host to the University of British Columbia in a four-game set.Â
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