BOX SCORE

LEWISTON, Idaho – In its final game of the Regence BlueShield of Idaho Tournament, Corban's baseball team put together a 10-hit performance that was not enough in a 5-3 loss to fellow NAIA West member Patten Monday afternoon at Harris Field.

With a chance to bring home a tournament co-championship, the Warriors were unable to overcome a pair of errors that lead to two runs despite the Warriors' first two home runs of the season.

Following an opening 1-2-3 inning, Corban watched as Patten scored a run in the bottom of the first via a pair of hits that included a run-scoring single to left field by Deandre Walker that scored lead-off hitter Jeremy Wells.

In the second inning, sophomore Taylor Stiles (Santa Maria, Calif.) led off the frame with Corban's first home run of the season – a shot to right field – that tied the game at 1-all.

Patten's half of the second inning was led off with a walk by Ryan Davis, who advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt before stealing third. The very next batter – Nick Robertson – brought Davis home with a ground out to short to put the designated home team up by a single run (2-1).

With two outs in the third inning, Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.) belted the Warriors' second home run of the afternoon – a blast to left field – to tie the game once again at 2-2.

Patten wasted no time in its half of the third inning, as the Lions scored their third run of the game via a Wells' lead-off home run to left field.

Following two scoreless innings, Patten tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning off a pair of hits. The Lions got a lead-off walk from Robertson before Brett Korporaal single to first and advanced to second on a Warrior throwing error that also allowed Robertson to move up to third. The very next batter – Wells – brought Robertson home via a sacrifice fly to center field before Chris Brigham brought Korporaal home one batter later with a single to right center for Patten's final run of the afternoon.

In the eighth inning, Corban got another run when Spicer led off with a single through the left side before freshman Steven Blum (Salem, Ore.) advanced Spicer ninety feet with another single through the left side. Senior pinch-hitter Russ Johnston (Independence, Ore.) drove home Spicer with a single to right field to bring the Warriors' within two runs (5-3) with one out. On Johnston's hit to right field, Blum was thrown out at third attempting to go two bases on a single play therefore ending Corban's threat.

After holding Patten scoreless in the eighth inning despite a one-out double, the Warriors got runners on first and second with two outs in the ninth inning thanks to a walk by sophomore Nate Hiebert (Lebanon, Ore.) and a single to left field by fellow sophomore Trevor Winsor (Troutdale, Ore.). Unfortunately, Corban ended the game on a pop out to the pitcher which capped the Warriors' play in Idaho with an even 2-2 win-loss record.

Offensively, the Warriors were led by a trio of two-hit performances by Hiebert, Spicer, and Stiles. Meanwhile, four other Corban players – Winsor, Blum, Johnston, and sophomore Kyle Taylor (Clackamas, Ore.) – registered a hit each that brought the Warriors' total to 10 base knocks.

Pitching-wise, Hiebert began the game on the hill for the Warriors going the first 5.0 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits before turning the ball over to freshman Tyler Doornink (Yakima, Wash.) for the game's final 3.0 innings.

Patten was led offensively by Wells' perfect 3-for-3 performance that included a pair of RBI and two runs scored. On the mound, Phillip Gonzales began the game for the Lions going 8.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits to go along with a game-high eight strikeouts. Patten's Joe Salazar came in for the ninth inning and allowed a mere hit en route to earning his first save of the season.

With today's results, Corban even its early season record at 2-2 compared to Patten's overall win-loss mark of 2-8. The Warriors are back in action with an mid-morning double header on Friday, February 20th, against fellow NAIA West member The College of Idaho beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Warrior Field.