BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. – A magical season came to an end for Corban's baseball team Thursday at the Verizon Wireless NAIA West Tournament, as the Warriors fell in Game #4 to the Thunderbirds of British Columbia, 12-5, at Hilken Community Stadium.

With today's result, Corban closes out the 2012 season with an overall record of 28-23 marking the second most single-season wins in program history. Meanwhile, British Columbia improves to 28-18 and will face tournament-host Concordia in a loser-out game later tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Rose City.

Freshman Marc Gallegos led the Warriors' offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included a pair of runs scored, while six other Corban players – senior Colby Sokol, senior Steven Blum, sophomore Gregg Romero, sophomore Lance Foster, freshman Tyler Atkinson, and freshman Jordan Johansen – each registered hits to go along with a pair of RBI by Johansen.

After a 30-minute delay due to steady drizzle in the Metro area, British Columbia got the scoring started with six unanswered runs in its opening two at-bats that included a two-RBI double by Blake Carruthers in the bottom of the second inning that highlighted UBC's lead that was 6-0 before the Warriors finally got on the board.

Corban was held scoreless until the top of the sixth inning when the Warriors plated a single run on a pair of hits before adding three more runs on four hits one inning later to cut British Columbia's lead to two runs (6-4).

In the top of the sixth inning, Gallegos registered a one-out single to the pitcher before Romero drew a walk putting runners on first and second. Sokol would then go to bat, as he roped a single to right field that allowed Gallegos to score putting Corban's first run on the board.

One inning later, Atkinson would start off the at-bat with a double down the right field line before being lifted for junior pinch runner Kyle Kunkel. Foster would then single to right center allowing Kunkel to move to third, as the Warriors had runners at the corners with no outs. Johansen would then step into the batter's box in a pinch hitting role, as the first-year Warrior ripped a double to left center that scored both runners and pulled Corban within three runs (6-3). The Warriors' final run of the inning would come via a RBI single through the left side by Gallegos that scored Johansen, as Corban pulled within a pair of runs (6-4).

Unfortunately, British Columbia's high-powered offense could not be kept off the scoreboard thanks to a six-run bottom of the seventh inning that was highlighted by a three-run home run over the left center field wall by Carruthers that pushed the T-birds' lead to eight runs (12-4).

Corban would add its fifth and final run of the game in the top of the ninth inning when Romero double down the left field line to bring home Gallegos following his two-out walk. The Warriors' final margin would be seven runs (12-5), as Corban closed was eliminated from the NAIA West Tournament after playing just two games.

Sophomore starter Justin White would suffer the loss for Corban allowing six earned runs on six hits over the opening 1.2 innings before turning the ball over to a trio of Warrior relievers – junior Jake Balbas, sophomore Ryan Rodriguez, and senior Tyler Doornink. The bullpen trio combined to allow six earned runs on nine hits in 6.1 innings of work, as Balbas went 4.1 innings in relief.

British Columbia was led offensively by Andrew Firth and Jerod Bartnik with three hits each, while Carruthers had two hits that resulted in a game-high five runs batted in. UBC's Dan Britton-Foster went the opening 6.1 innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits en route to picking up the win, while Connor Smith earned the save after pitching 2.2 innings allowing just one earned run on one hit.

The 2012 season will be looked at as one of the best in program history, as Corban tallied 28 wins that included 16 in league play en route to finishing fifth overall in the final standings.