KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. –
Kacie Schmidt tossed her first career no-hitter to set the tone for the day, as Oregon Tech combined for five home runs in a Cascade Conference tripleheader sweep of the University of Providence at Stilwell Stadium.
The No. 6-ranked Lady Owls (12-6, 4-2 CCC) earned three run-rule victories – 9-0, 12-4 and 13-0 – over the Montana squad. The non-league series finale, set for tomorrow, was canceled due to the forecast of temperatures below the conference game threshold.
Schmidt dominated Game 1 – retiring the first 13 batters in order, before a hit-by-pitch ended a perfect game bid. The right-hander closed the game with a strikeout and ground out – recording the first no-hitter among CCC teams this season.
The OIT offense started quickly, loading the bases with no outs in the first – with
Lexi Klum delivering a sacrifice fly and
Puakea Milbourne launching an opposite field 3-run homer. Tech broke the game open in the fourth, as a 2-run blast from Klum and a
Jayce Seavert RBI double extended the lead to 9-0.
Mick was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and Seavert added two hits and two RBI in the win.
The Argos (5-6, 3-3) rebounded early in Game 2, jumping to a 4-0 second inning lead. Azia Umphrey doubled home a first inning run and Sydnee Weber cleared the bases with a double.
The lead did not last – as OIT capitalized on seven walks and four hit-by-pitches to score the final 12 runs of the game. The Owls took the lead with a 5-run second – plating a run on a Seavert infield single, scoring another on bases loaded
Addison Kachnik walk, tying the score on consecutive wild pitches and grabbing a 5-4 lead on a UP error.
Tech added a pair of runs in the third, extending the margin to 10-4 in the fourth on a
Nita Cook leadoff homer and RBI singles from Klum and Seavert. The Owls ended the game in the fifth due to the mercy rule on a Seavert single off the left field wall.
Freshman
Alli Parker earned her first collegiate win, tossing 3-plus innings of shutout relief, striking out three. Seavert was 3-for-4 with three RBI, with Klum going 2-for-2 with three runs scored and
Zoe Allen adding two hits. Madi Moore was 3-for-4 for the Argos, who outhit Tech, 10-9.
Game 3 was all Lady Owls – sending 12 batters to the plate in the first inning – scoring seven runs. Mick hit a long 3-run homer to right and
Mckenzie Staub added a 2-run double in the inning. OIT added a 3-run double from Cook in the second to make it 11-0, with Klum capping the scoring with a third inning 2-run homer.
Staub tossed four shutout innings, holding UP to three hits. Both Klum and Mick had 2-hit games for OIT.
The Lady Owls return to action next weekend, hosting No. 8-ranked Southern Oregon in a 4-game series at Stilwell Stadium.
