BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. – Freshman Tyler Atkinson drove in a season-high six runs and junior Jake Balbas went seven strong innings, as Corban's baseball team scored a season-high 14 runs in a win over rival Concordia, 14-2, in this weekend's NAIA West opener at Hilken Community Stadium.

With the win, Corban improves to 11-8 overall and 3-6 in NAIA West play. Meanwhile, Concordia falls to 12-9 overall and 5-4 in NAIA West games.

Atkinson was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, while sophomore Gregg Romero was a perfect 4-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. Seniors Colby Sokol and Cody Atkinson would drive in two runs each, while the elder Atkinson, junior Kyle Kunkel, and junior Andy Hill would each score twice in the Warriors' victory.

Balbas went the opening 7.0 innings for Corban en route to picking up his second win of the season, while allowing one earned run on four hits to go along with a team-high three strikeouts. Freshman Andy Thiessen would record the final six outs for Corban despite allowing one earned run on three hits with one K.

Corban would get on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning when the Warriors plated four runs on just two hits. Hill would draw a one-out walk before moving to third on a double by freshman Marc Gallegos. After a walk to Romero that loaded the bases, Sokol drew a walk for the game's opening run. Concordia would get Corban's next bat to ground into a fielder's choice that would get the lead runner only to have a throwing error allow Romero to score with Sokol and the elder Atkinson moving to second and third. The very next batter – the younger Atkinson – would bring both runners home with a double down the left field line that plated the eventual game-winning run, as Corban earned a 4-0 lead.

Concordia would get one run back in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jordan Keeker registered a one-out single through the left side that scored Blake Drake after he pinch-ran for Ben Talbot following his leadoff double down the left field line to pull the host Cavaliers within three runs (4-1).

Corban would push its lead to seven runs (8-1) in the top of the sixth inning, as the Warriors plated four more runs on three hits. A leadoff walk by sophomore Kris Gokey followed by a pair of infield singles by Hill and Romero would load the bases for the Warriors, as the elder Atkinson would draw a two-out walk that brought home pinch-runner Kunkel. After a Concordia pitching change, the younger Atkinson – Tyler – would rip a bases-clearing double to right center that pushed the visiting Warriors' lead to seven runs.

Concordia would score its second and final run in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull within six runs (8-2) when Talbot registered a run-scoring single to center field that brought home Mike Cero after his two-out double one batter earlier.

In the top of the ninth inning, Corban would explode for six more runs on just one hit as the Warriors drew five run-scoring walks to go along with a pair of hit by pitches that resulted in two more runs. Corban's final run of the game would come via a sacrifice fly off the bat of Atkinson that scored Romero for the final margin of 12 runs (14-2).

Concordia would get a perfect 3-for-3 showing from Talbot with one RBI, while four other Cavaliers registered a hit each. On the mound, six Concordia pitchers saw action with Mitch Ludtke suffering the loss going the opening 5.2 innings allowing eight earned runs on seven hits with a game-high five strikeouts.

These same two teams will continue this weekend's four-game series with an afternoon double header tomorrow – Saturday, March 17th – beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Hilken Community Stadium in Portland.