BOX SCORE

KEIZER, Ore. – On the first pitch that he saw in the bottom of the seventh inning, senior Steven Blum put himself in the record books becoming the all-time leader in doubles in Corban's baseball history with the 49th two-bagger of his career in a 7-1 non-conference victory over NCAA Division III member George Fox Tuesday at Volcanoes Stadium.

Coming into today's game against the visiting Bruins, Blum only needed two more doubles to tie former Warrior Sam Owre (1999-2002) atop the all-time list. After a two-run single in the first inning, Blum connected on a double to right field in the third inning, another double down the left field line in the fifth inning, and the aforementioned record-breaking double two innings later en route to a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI.

With today's victory, Corban improves to 20-14 overall and becomes the first Warrior team to surpass the 20-win plateau since the 2002 season when then-Western Baptist went 29-23 overall. On the flip side, George Fox falls to 15-16 and is in jeopardy of its first losing season since 1995.

Corban jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against George Fox starter Taylor Hill, the first of seven Bruin pitchers. Freshman Jordan Johansen reached on a slow roller to third and junior Kyle Kunkel was safe when Hill stumbled fielding his sacrifice bunt. Senior Colby Sokol dumped an RBI single down the left-field line, and after senior Cody Atkinson bunted for a hit to load the bases, Blum delivered a two-run single for a quick three-run Warrior lead.

After going scoreless for two innings against sophomore starter Justin White, George Fox got their only run in the top of the third inning against junior Jacob Kopra. Danny Clifford stroked a one-out single to center, stole second and kept going to third on a passed ball on the same pitch, and scored on a Nick Benish single to left to pull the visiting Bruins with two runs (3-1).

Rain began to fall in the last of the third and remained steady for a couple of innings, though never hard enough to stop the game. The precipitation lightened up considerably in the sixth inning and the game went on.

Corban added two more in the bottom of the fifth off GFU reliever Eric Kittelson. Blum doubled to left with two outs, advanced on a wild pitch, and after sophomore Lance Foster walked, scored on a double steal with junior pinch runner Andy Hill.

In the seventh, Blum drilled his third double of the game to right, moved up on a balk by Bobby Orozco, and after freshman Peter Martin drew a walk, scored on freshman Tyler Atkinson's single up the middle off the glove of the Bruins' shortstop. Junior Alex Bost followed with a double to left-center to score Martin for the final run of the game, as the Warriors secured their 20th victory by a six-run margin (7-1).

Along with Blum's record-breaking performance, Sokol also went 2-for-5 with a run scored and one run batted in. On the mound, White went the opening 2.0 innings allowing just two hits en route to picking up his seventh win of the season. Kopra would go the next 3.0 innings allowing one earned run on four hits to go along with a game-high six strikeouts, while senior Mike McKay and junior David Hull combined to pitch the final 4.0 innings allowing just two hits.

George Fox was led offensively by Clifford and Todd Nagamine, who had two hits apiece for the Bruins. Hill would suffer the loss allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits before six other GFU pitchers saw action over the final five innings of work.

Corban will return to action tomorrow – Wednesday, April 11th – in another non-conference make-up game against the visiting Boxers of Pacific University of Oregon beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.