GLENDALE, Ariz. – Hope International softball gained a split of Friday's doubleheader against College of Idaho, falling 3-0 in game one before rebounding to win 5-3 in game two at the ACU Softball Field.

The Royals managed just three hits in game one, but unleashed an 11-hit attack in game two. Emma McCraw and Karlie Bilbrey posted hits in both games.

Game 1 – College of Idaho 3, #21 Hope International 0

Drew Williams tossed a three-hit shutout for the Yotes. She walked three and struck out one while throwing 90 pitches. She allowed a single to Bilbrey in the second, a single to McCraw in the fourth and a single to Jocelyn Aguilar in the fifth.

HIU had runners in scoring position in the second, fourth and sixth, but could not push through any runs.

Kaitlyn Maaske took her first loss of the season for the Royals to fall to 4-1. 

The Yotes scored a run in the first following a double and a sacrifice fly. Maaske held them in check until the sixth when COI struck for two more runs, taking advantage of an error to lead off the inning.  Kina Watts had an RBI double and Hallie Campbell later followed with an RBI single as both runs against Maaske were unearned.

Game 2 – #21 Hope International 5, College of Idaho 3

HIU trailed 1-0 in the first as Madelyn Powell opened the scoring with an RBI single.

But the Royals scored twice in the second to take the lead, taking advantage of a Yote error. Bilbrey doubled to put runners at second and third, and Amanda Esquivel walked to load the bases on COI starter Rylee Smith. Vivian Little got hit by a pitch to drive in Natalie Corrales and Lily Hernandez followed with an RBI infield single.

HIU made it 3-1 in the third as Chey Navarro blasted a leadoff triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Breanna Lucero.

The Yotes tied the score at 3-3 with a pair of runs in the fourth, but Little held them without a hit for the final three innings.

HIU plated the go-ahead runs in the sixth as Little and Hernandez opened with back-to-back base hits. Lucero drove in another run on a single to left and Hernandez scored on a passed ball.

Little improved to 2-2 as she went the distance, surrendering three runs and five hits while tossing 110 pitches. 

Grace Neer took the loss in relief as she allowed six hits and two runs (one earned) in 4.2 innings.

HIU returns to action on Saturday in Arizona, squaring off against No. 10 Oregon Tech for a doubleheader at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. (PT).