BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2

KEIZER, Ore. – Senior Cody Atkinson collected a combined four hits with two RBI, as Corban's baseball team dropped an afternoon NAIA West double header to visiting Menlo, 4-8 & 3-7, Friday at Volcanoes Stadium.

With today's results, Corban moves to 18-13 overall and 10-11 in NAIA West play. Meanwhile, Menlo improves to 17-19 overall and 12-10 in NAIA West games.

Along with Atkinson, senior Steven Blum also registered four hits to go along with a pair of three-hit performances by sophomore Gregg Romero and freshman Peter Martin. Senior Steven Candelaria also tallied a pair of hits in the two games.

GAME #1 – MENLO 8, CORBAN 4

In the opener, Corban got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Gallegos ripped a two-out, run-scoring single to left field that brought home Blum after he led off the at-bat with an infield single for a 1-0 Warrior lead.

Menlo would tie the game in the top of the fifth inning when Mickey Phelps registered an infield single before advancing to third on a throwing error by Corban during the Oaks' next at-bat. Despite Menlo's James Threw being thrown out attempting to steal second, Phelps would come home on the steal attempt to tie the score at 1-1.

Atkinson would lead off the bottom of the sixth inning with his second home run of the season, as he crushed the ball over the left field wall giving Corban a slim one-run lead (2-1).

In the top of the seventh inning, Menlo would answer with five runs on five hits that was highlighted by a two-run double to left center by C.J. Dailey that scored Michael Brandi and Phelps giving the visiting Oaks a three-run lead (5-2). Dailey would eventually come around to score Menlo's sixth run of the game before an inning-ending pickle would result in Corban trailing by four runs (6-2) with three at-bats left.

Corban would get two runs back in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull within a pair of runs (6-4), as Gallegos scored on a wild pitch and Atkinson drove home Romero via a single through the left side.

Unfortunately that would be as close as the host Warriors would get, as Menlo would tack on two more runs in the eighth and ninth inning for the final tally of 8-4.

Atkinson led Corban's offense with a 4-for-5 performance that included one run scored and two RBI, while Gallegos and Blum each collected two hits in the opener. Sophomore Justin White would suffer the loss allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits over the opening 6.1 innings with a game-high six strikeouts before a pair of relievers – sophomore Ryan Rodriguez and junior Caleb Virtue – combined to allow five runs (four earned) on five hits.

Menlo was led offensively by Will Pierce with a 2-for-4 performance that included a pair of RBI, while Joey Webb picked up his fourth win of the season allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits over the opening 6.1 innings. A trio of Oak pitchers – John Schott, Tristan Heckerl, and Alex Tenorio – combined to pitch the final 2.2 innings allowing just one hit.

GAME #2 – MENLO 7, CORBAN 3

In the finale, Menlo would score in five of the first six innings en route to building a seven-run lead (7-0) before Corban got on the board.

Trailing by seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Corban would put three runs on the board via five hits that included senior Colby Sokol scoring on a fielding error by Menlo along with a pair of run-scoring singles by Canderlaria and junior Alex Bost that pulled the host Warriors within four runs (7-3).

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Corban had a chance to add a few more runs with runners on second and third with two outs. Unfortunately an administrative error would cost the Warriors, as Candelaria was re-entered as the designated hitter after he was pinch ran for in the sixth inning. Menlo's head coach made the umpires aware of the mistake after Canderlaria singled home both Sokol and Romero to pull Corban within a pair of runs (7-5), as the umpires called Candelaria out erasing the two runs and ending the inning with the host Warriors trailing by four runs (7-3).

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Corban would load the bases with one out following back-to-back walks to sophomore Ryan Rodriguez and freshman Jordan Johansen. A strike out and inning-ending fly out would thwart a potential Warrior comeback, as Menlo took a four-run lead (7-3) into the final inning.

Corban would attempt another comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, as Blum drew a one-out walk before Martin singled through the right side moving Blum to second with two outs. Unfortunately, a game-ending line out by the Warriors would give Menlo the hard-fought sweep, 7-3.

Martin would lead Corban's offense with a 3-for-5 performance, while Romero and Blum each registered a pair of hits. Junior Jacob Kopra would suffer his first loss of the season allowing seven runs (two earned) on seven hits over the first 6.0 innings before a pair of Warrior relievers – senior Mike McKay and freshman Andy Thiessen – combined to pitch the final 3.0 innings allowing just three hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Menlo was led offensively by Phelps with a 3-for-4 performance that included three runs scored, while Derek Rodrigues picked up his fourth win of the season allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits before Kyer Vega and Sean Sweeney combined to allow a mere two hits over the final three innings with Sweeney picking up his first save of the season.

These same two teams will close out this weekend's four-game NAIA West series tomorrow – Saturday, April 7th – with a late-morning double header beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.