BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

REDDING, Calif. – In its next-to-last weekend of the regular season, Corban's baseball team started with an afternoon split against fellow NAIA West member Simpson, 12-9 & 8-10, Saturday at Tiger Stadium.

With today's result, Corban moves to 24-18 overall and 12-13 in NAIA West play. Meanwhile, Simpson goes to 19-30 overall and 6-23 in NAIA West games.

Freshman Marc Gallegos was a combined 3-for-10 at the plate with one run scored and five runs batted in, while sophomore Lance Foster and freshman Tyler Atkinson each collected a combined three hits in the two games.

GAME #1 – CORBAN 12, SIMPSON 9

In the opener, Simpson would score six unanswered runs in the first three innings highlighted by Garrett Barnett's two-run home run in the first inning.

Corban would finally get on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning when the Warriors tallied six runs on seven hits. Back-to-back singles by sophomore Gregg Romero and senior Colby Sokol would begin the at-bat, while senior Steven Blum registered a run-scoring single to left field with one out before Atkinson ripped a two-run double to right center to pull Corban within three runs (6-3). After Atkinson moved to third on a balk, Foster singled to right field allowing the Warriors' four run to cross the plate. Two batters later, Gallegos ripped a two-RBI double to left center that tied the score at 6-6 after Foster and junior pinch-runner Kyle Kunkel scored.

Simpson would retake the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Daveron Ross drove home Barnett with a single to right center that put the host Redhawks up by a mere run (7-6).

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Simpson would increase its lead to three runs (9-6) when Joshua Corson scored on a wild pitch and Ross lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Angel Marti to score the Redhawks' final run of the opening game.

Corban would take its first lead of the afternoon in the top of the seventh inning, as Romero registered a two-out single to left field before coming around to score on Sokol's double to center field. Sokol would then advance to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to left field by senior Cody Atkinson making the score 9-8 in favor of Simpson. Following a pitching change by the Redhawks, a walk, and an infield single, Corban had the bases loaded with two outs for Foster. The 6-foot-2 second-year Warrior would not disappoint with a two-run single up the middle that scored Blum and the elder Atkinson for a one-run Corban lead (10-9).

In the top of the ninth inning, Corban would add two runs to its total thanks to a two-run double to right center by Foster that scored the Atkinson brothers putting the visiting Warriors up by three runs (12-9).

Simpson would threaten in the bottom of the ninth inning thanks to a leadoff double, but Corban's sophomore closer Ryan Rodriguez would get three straight outs to end the game and secure the three-run victory for the Warriors.

Foster was the offensive leader for Corban, as he was 3-for-5 with one run scored and a game-high five RBI. Sophomore Justin White would begin the game for the Warriors allowing six earned runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work before a quartet of Corban relievers took to the mound. Junior Caleb Virtue, senior Mike McKay, freshman Jordan Johansen, and Rodriguez combined to allow three runs (one earned) on seven hits. Johansen would pick up his second win of the season in relief, while Rodriguez earned his team-leading sixth save this year.

Simpson was led offensively by Ross with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, while Rick Hogan went the opening 6.2 innings allowing nine earned runs on 11 hits before Joshua Yachinich came in for the final 2.1 innings of work. Yachinich would suffer the loss allowing three earned runs on three hits.

GAME #2 – SIMPSON 10, CORBAN 8

In the finale, neither team scored until the top of the third inning when Corban put seven runs on the board highlighted by a three-run single to right center by Gallegos that handed the visiting Warriors an early 7-0 lead.

Unfortunately, Simpson began to whittle away at Corban's lead in the bottom of the third inning when Barnett ripped a run-scoring triple to right field before he stole home one batter later to pull the Redhawks within five runs (7-2).

Corban added its eighth and final run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Blum led off with a solo home run over the left field fence for a six-run Warrior lead (8-2).

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Simpson pulled within three runs (8-5) on a RBI double to left center by Marti before he advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on a ground out by Barnett. Simpson's Mitch Garcia would then belt a solo home run over the right field wall to make the score 8-5 in favor of Corban.

Simpson would complete the comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning when Corson crushed a two-run home run over the left field wall and Barnett tripled home Marti to tie the score at 8-8.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Simpson added two more runs on a run-scoring double by Chuck Matthey before Graig Lonergan singled to left center scoring Matthey for a 10-8 Redhawk lead.

Corban would be held hitless over its final two at-bats, as Simpson snapped a nine-game losing streak with the two-run victory.

Gallegos led Corban's offense with a 2-for-5 performance that included a run scored and three RBI, while junior Jacob Kopra went the opening 6.0 innings allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits before a trio of Warrior relievers took over. Rodriguez would suffer the loss allowing two earned runs on three hits in one inning of work before freshman Andy Thiessen and junior David Hull combined to get the final three outs.

Simpson was led offensively by Marti and Barnett with two hits each, while three Redhawk pitchers – Robert Nadalsky, Nick Mikkelson, and Daniel Chavez – combined to allow eight runs (three earned) on eight hits. Mikkelson would pick up the victory, as he worked 4.1 innings allowing one earned run on three hits.

These same two teams will wrap up this weekend's four-game series tomorrow – Sunday, April 22nd – with a double header that begins at 11:00 a.m. on Tiger Field in Redding, California.