BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

SALEM, Ore. – Despite a 15-minute weather delay due to hail in the opener, senior Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) went the distance in the opener fanning a team-best six batters even though Corban's baseball team fell to the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon, 2-0 & 4-0, Friday afternoon at Warrior Field.

In game one of Friday afternoon's double header, Braun and OIT's Josh Strom battled in a pitching dual for the first three innings.

In the fourth inning, Oregon Tech scored an unearned run on a passed ball and Corey Spires produced an RBI on a fielder's choice that allowed Ryson Mauricio to score following an infield single two batters earlier to give the Owls a two-run advantage.

With the visiting Owls holding a two-run lead, junior Josh Warner (Independence, Ore.) register a one-out infield single and then advanced to second on a throwing error by OIT's pitcher. In the midst of the Warriors' next at-bat, a hail storm delayed the game for 15 minutes. Following the delay, Oregon Tech's defense got out of the inning thanks to a pair of fly-outs.

Over the next two-and-a-half innings, neither team scored with Corban having the best opportunity in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomores Trevor Winsor (Troutdale, Ore.) and Nate Hiebert (Lebanon, Ore.) registered a pair of infield singles to open the inning but could not score thanks to Oregon Tech's defense.

In the bottom of the ninth, senior Russ Johnston (Independence, Ore.) registered a one-out single before junior pinch-runner Cameron Meier (Salem, Ore.) advanced to second on a two-out walk to sophomore Kyle Taylor (Clackamas, Ore.), which brought the Warriors within scoring distance. Oregon Tech's pitcher induced a game-ending fly-out to short en route to earning the two-run victory.

In the back-end of the double-dipper, it looked to be another pitching dual until Corban came out swinging in the third. Hiebert registered a leadoff single to second base before getting cut down at second on a fielder's choice. The very next batter – Johnston – singled to right center allowing Warner to advance to third. OIT was able to hold the Warriors at-bay with an inning-ending fly-out to third.

Oregon Tech's Zach Earle was walked to open up the fourth inning before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error. The next Owl batter – Mauricio – came out with a good eye at the plate and a strong bat doubling down the right field line to bring home Earle then advancing to third on a ground out. Corban ended the inning on a hard line-out, which kept the score at 2-0 in favor of Oregon Tech.

Corban and Oregon Tech's defense held strong over the next two innings before the Owls stirred things up in their next-to-last at-bat.

OIT's Ryan Smith entered the game to pinch run for former North Salem graduate Lee Eklund, who was hit by a pitch. Smith advanced to second thanks to a single by Spires, who then also advanced to second after Trent Smith drilled an RBI single to center field that scored Ryan Smith from second. Conway then reached on a fielder's choice when Corban attempted to turn an unsuccessful double play resulting in a throwing error that allowed Spires to score the game's final run.

Offensively, Corban recorded only eleven hits on the day with Johnston leading the Warriors' bat-attack with a combined 3-for-7 performance. On the mound, Braun went the distance allowing only two runs (one earned) on six hits to go along with his strikeout performance. In the second game, senior Derek Stokes (Anchorage, Alaska) held on for six innings allowing four runs (three earned) before freshman Mike McKay (Almira, Wash.) finished the last inning.

Oregon Tech was lead offensively by Spires, who had three hits on the day. Meanwhile, Trent Smith and Mauricio recorded two hits each. Pitching wise, Strom took the win pitching all nine innings in the opener allowing a mere six Warrior hits to go along with a game-high nine K's. In the second game, Neil Emerson registered the Owls' second straight complete game shutout allowing five hits.

With today's results, Corban falls to 9-20 overall, 7-11 in NAIA West play. Meanwhile, Oregon Tech improves to 20-19 overall, 12-6 in NAIA West action. These same two teams will return to the field on Saturday, April 4th, with the final two games of the weekend beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Warrior Field.