KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A 4-run first inning was the difference for College of Idaho, as the No. 6-ranked Yotes snapped Oregon Tech's 23-game home win streak in a 5-2 decision in Game 7 of the Cascade Conference Championships, presented by U.S. Bank, at Stilwell Stadium.
 
The top-ranked Lady Owls (44-7) will meet No. 4-ranked Southern Oregon tomorrow at 11 a.m. in an elimination game, with the winner meeting C of I in the championship round.
 
Trailing 5-0 in the fifth, OIT rallied – scoring runs on an error and a Mckenzie Staub ground out – but C of I (46-6) reliever Hannah McNerney coaxed a ground out to end the inning. Tech had another chance, loading the bases with two outs in the seventh, but a hard ground ball to short ended the game.
 
The Yotes used speed to grab the early lead – as Haley Loffer singled and after a hit by pitch to Lexi Navarrete, stole third to put runners on the corners. A double-steal plated Loffer, with Navarrete scoring on an OIT error. Madelyn Powell capped the inning with the first of her two home runs on the day, a long drive over the center field wall.
 
Katie Wilfert earned the win for C of I, allowing two unearned runs on five hits, with McNerney tossing two-plus scoreless innings of relief.
 
Staub took the loss for Tech, allowing four runs in a third of an inning, with Kacie Schmidt limiting C of I to one run in six-plus innings of relief. Both Jayce Seavert and Lexi Klum had two hit games for the Owls, who out-hit C of I, 8-5.
 
Sunday Schedule:
 
Game 9 – Oregon Tech vs. Southern Oregon, 11 a.m. (loser out)
 
Game 10 – Winner 9 vs. College of Idaho, 1:30 p.m. (championship)
 
Game 11 – if necessary championship, 30 minutes after Game 10