SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Corban University baseball team held a lead late in the game for the second-consecutive day, but the Warriors lost the lead in the ninth inning against No. 20 The Master's College on Wednesday afternoon, falling 5-4 against the Mustangs.
The Master's College took the early lead in the first inning with a run, but the Warriors responded in a big way in the fourth frame with two runs. Junior designated hitter Nic Coffman (Portland, Ore.) registered an RBI single to give Corban its first run of the day, scoring senior first baseman Daniel Orr (Kingston, Wash.) on the play. Sophomore third baseman Vince Gonzalez (Kennewick, Wash.) then ripped an RBI single to center field, scoring junior left-fielder Hayden Calvert (Canberra, Australia) to give the Navy and Gold the advantage.
Three seniors combined to extend the Warrior lead in the fifth frame, as Orr doubled to right-centerfield, scoring senior outfielders Marc Gallegos (Astoria, Ore.) and Jordan Johansen (Maple Valley, Wash.).
With a 4-1 advantage, Corban surrendered two runs in the seventh, as the Mustangs closed to within one run. The Warriors held the home squad off in the eighth, but the Mustangs tied the game on a wild pitch in the ninth, and then loaded the bases with nobody out. The Mustangs thought they had won the contest on a walk-off single, but on a bizarre play with the team rushing the field too early, the winning run was negated and out. With another chance however with the bases loaded, the Mustangs walked off via a sacrifice fly, ending the contest.
"We are getting better playing nationally-ranked teams very tough," said head coach Jeff McKay. "Another very tough loss for the Warriors, but one we can learn from. We are playing hard, this team has character and competitiveness, and we have a lot of games ahead of us. It is really nice playing these strong Christian Universities that play to honor the Lord."
Coffman and Gonzales led the way at the plate with a pair of hits each to go along with one RBI.
Junior pitcher Tony Davidson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) threw 6.1 innings on the hill for the Navy and Gold, allowing just three runs, only two of which were earned. Junior pitcher Ryan Wood (Meridian, Idaho) picked up the loss in relief for Corban, going 2.1 innings and allowing two runs.
Corban (8-6) returns to action tomorrow and continues its week-long road trip in Southern California when it takes on Westmont College. First pitch in Santa Barbara is set for 2 p.m.
