BOX SCORE

PASCO, Wash. – One year after capturing the inaugural Swing Into Spring College Baseball Classic title, Corban's baseball team defended its title with a 5-2 victory over tournament-host Whitworth behind the pitching of seniors Jacob Kopra and Caleb Virtue Sunday at Gesa Stadium.

Less than 24 hours after completing his senior season on the basketball court, Kopra stepped to the top of the hill and led Corban (6-0) to its best start since the program was reinstated in 1988. Along with the Warriors' right-handed starter, four Corban players – senior Derek Legg, junior Lance Foster, junior Nate Williams, and sophomore Marc Gallegos – registered two hits each in the win.

Whitworth (4-3-1) was led offensively by five different Pirates with a hit each, while Nick Scourey went the opening 7.0 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits before turning the ball over to Zach Shuholm for the final six outs.

Corban would begin the game's scoring in the top of the first inning when Legg ripped a two-out double down the left field line before coming home on a run-scoring single through the right side by Foster to put the Warriors ahead 1-0. Junior Peter Martin would then reach via a Whitworth error that also allowed Foster to score from third before Martin scored on the Pirates' second error of the inning during Corban's next at-bat making the score 3-0 in favor of the visitors.

Two innings later, Corban would put its fourth run on the board when Legg led off with an infield single before moving all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt by Whitworth's pitcher. Foster would then bring home Legg on a ground out to second to put the Warriors up by four runs (4-0).

Whitworth would cut Corban's lead in half (4-2) with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Nathan Jewett registered an infield single that allowed Tyler Pfeffer to score before Josh Davis scored on a throwing error by the Warriors on the same play.

Neither team would score again until the top of the eighth inning when freshman Steven Kha led off with a single up the middle before moving to second on a sacrifice ground out by senior Kyle Kunkel. After a single by Gallegos and junior Gregg Romero was hit by a pitch that loaded the bases, Legg reached on a Whitworth error that brought home Kha for the game's final run and three-run victory for Corban (5-2).

Kopra would go the opening 5.0 innings for Corban allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits with a game-high three strikeouts before Virtue took over and allowed just three hits in 4.0 innings of work.

Corban would conclude play at the Swing Into Spring College Baseball Classic tomorrow – Monday, February 18th – against cross town rival and NCAA Division III member Willamette beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Washington.