BOX SCORE

KEIZER, Ore. – Senior Anthony Wirkkala picked up his first win as a Warrior allowing just one hit over four innings of work to go along with a game-high six strikeouts, as Corban's baseball team picked up a non-conference victory over Pacific University of Oregon, 10-4, Wednesday at Volcanoes Stadium.

With today's win, Corban improves to 21-14 overall and in the process snapped a seven-game losing streak to the visiting Boxers. Meanwhile, Pacific (Ore.) falls to 16-11 on the season.

Along with Wirkkala's performance on the mound, a pair of freshman – Marc Gallegos and Jordan Johansen – had three hits each with Gallegos scoring a run and adding his team-leading 28th stolen base of the season. Meanwhile, Johansen drove in a career-high three runs, as six other Warriors – senior Steven Blum, senior Kyle Kunkel, senior Colby Sokol, junior Alex Bost, and sophomore Gregg Romero – each registered a hit in the win.

Corban would get on the board first with a pair of runs in its opening at-bat, as Gallegos led off with a double down the right field line before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Romero. Blum would then step to the plate and ripped a low, line drive to right field that got under the glove of a diving Boxer outfielders before rolling all the way to the fence for a RBI triple and a one-run lead for the host Warriors (1-0). Senior Cody Atkinson would then step to the plate and lifted a deep fly ball to center field that allowed Blum to score Corban's second run of the game pushing the Warriors' lead to two runs (2-0).

The host Warriors would add another run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Johansen ripped a one-out single to right field. The first-year Warrior would move to second on a scary moment when junior Matt Hamlin was hit in the head on a fastball that got away from Pacific's first relief pitcher. Fortunately for Corban, Hamlin was okay placing runners at first and second with only one out. Following a strikeout, Kunkel drove in Johansen via a double down the right field line to put the host Warriors up by three runs (3-0).

Pacific would put two runs on the board in the top of the fifth inning, as the Boxers loaded the bases with no outs forcing a pitching change by Corban's second-year head coach Jeff McKay. The Boxers' Tyler Grant would bring home Pacific's first run on a sacrifice fly down the left field line allowing Grant Gabriel to score. After a walk to Kevin Schwartz that loaded the bases once again, Donnie Bradley lifted the first pitch that he saw deep to center field to bring home Alex Okonek and pulled Pacific within a single run (3-2).

Corban would add its fourth run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Johansen sent a single through the left side that allowed Atkinson to score after he was hit by a pitch with two outs, as the Warriors' lead was pushed back to two runs (4-2).

Pacific would get its third run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when Jared Van Hoon led off with a double to left center before moving to third on a fly out by Trux French and came home on the Boxers' third sacrifice fly of the game off the bat of Gabriel to make it a one-run game (4-3).

Corban would close the door on the victory in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Warriors plated five runs on three hits highlighted by a two-run single by Johansen that scored Blum and Atkinson for a six-run lead (9-3).

The host Warriors would add their 10th and final run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Sokol ripped a one-out double to right field and then advanced to third on an infield bunt single by Gallegos. With runners on first and third, Gallegos stole second and Sokol stole home on a delayed steal to push Corban's lead to seven runs (10-3).

Pacific would get its fourth and final run of the game in the top of the ninth inning when reserve right fielder Brad Williams deposited his first home run of the season over the left center field fence for the final margin of six runs (10-4).

Wirkkala went the opening four-plus innings for Corban allowing two earned runs on one hits before turning the ball over to a trio of Warrior relievers – junior Caleb Virtue, freshman Andy Thiessen, and freshman Bryce Watterud – who combined to allow two earned runs on three hits.

Pacific would get hits from four different players, as Jason Sawyer suffered the loss allowing two earned runs on two hits before watching four Boxer relievers combined to allow eight runs (five earned) on nine hits over 5.0 innings of work.

Corban will return to action on Friday, April 13th, in a noon double header against NCAA Division II member Central Washington in Ellensburg, Washington.