BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Freshman Marc Gallegos went a combined 4-for-8 at the plate with one run batted in, but it was not enough as Corban's baseball team dropped a pair of non-conference game to Central Washington, 8-2 & 20-3, Saturday at CWU's Baseball Field.

With today's results, Corban falls to 22-17 overall and Central Washington improves to 15-19 on the year.

Along with Gallegos, seniors Colby Sokol and Kyle Kunkel went a combined 3-for-7 with Sokol scoring one run and driving in one RBI to go along with Kunkel's two runs scored. Senior Cody Atkinson and freshman Tyler Atkinson each collected a pair of hits with the elder brother driving in one run.

GAME #1 – CENTRAL WASHINGTON 8, CORBAN 2

In the opener, Central Washington would score six unanswered runs in the opening two innings before Corban finally got on the board with a single run in the top of the third inning. The Warriors' run would come off the bat of sophomore Gregg Romero, as he reached base on a Wildcat fielding error that allowed Kunkel to score from third to pull the visiting Warriors within five runs (6-1).

Unfortunately, Central Washington would add two more runs over the next two innings en route to securing a seven-run lead (8-1) before Corban added its second and final run of Game #1 in the top of the fifth inning. Kunkel would once again lead off the at-bat with a base hit before advancing to third on a pass ball and coming home on a run-scoring single through the right side by Gallegos for the final margin of 8-2.

Kunkel would lead Corban's offense with a 2-for-4 performance that included a pair of runs scored, while senior Tyler Doornink suffered the loss allowing eight runs (six earned) on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work. Junior Caleb Virtue would pitch the final 5.0 innings for the Warriors allowing a mere three hits.

Central Washington was led offensively by Brandon Wang with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included three RBI, while Kyle Long picked up his fourth win of the season via a complete game performance allowing two earned runs on six hits.

GAME #2 – CENTRAL WASHINGTON 20, CORBAN 3

In the finale, Corban would take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when freshman Jordan Johansen brought home Gallegos on a ground out after the Warriors' leadoff hitter reached base via a double before moving to third on a pass ball. The elder Atkinson would put Corban up by two runs one batter later via a RBI double to left center that scored Johansen.

Unfortunately, Corban would not keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard as Central Washington scored 10 unanswered runs over the opening four innings to take an eight-run lead (10-2) heading into the fifth inning.

Corban would put its third and final run of Game #2 on the board in the top of the fifth inning when Sokol ripped a run-scoring single up the middle that plated Gallegos after he registered a one-out double.

Central Washington would put the game out of reach with 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Brett Bielec was the highlight of the at-bat with a three-run triple down the right line that put CWU's 19th run on the board. Brett Gray would bring home the Wildcats' final run of the afternoon with a RBI single to center field for the final margin of 20-3.

Gallegos would lead Corban's offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included two runs scored, while senior Mike McKay suffered his first loss of the season allowing seven runs (three earned) on five hits over the opening 1.1 innings. Four Warrior relievers – senior Anthony Wirkkala, freshman Andy Thiessen, junior David Hull, and Johansen – would combine to pitch the final 4.2 innings allowing 13 runs (eight earned) on 14 hits.

Central Washington was led offensively by Bielec and Derrick Webb with a pair of 3-for-3 showings, while Jason Lotzer registered his third win of the season allowing three earned runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings of work before Kyle Cruzen got the game's final three outs.

Corban will return to action on Tuesday, April 17th, in a single, non-conference game against NCAA Division III member Pacific University of Oregon beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Forest Grove.