CALDWELL, Idaho - Thanks to a three-run homerun in the ninth inning from junior right-fielder Hayden Calvert (Canberra, Australia), the Warriors won game two on Sunday, earning the series split with the College of Idaho, two games apiece. The Yotes came from behind in Sunday's opener, winning 4-3, while the Navy and Gold nabbed the fourth and final game of the series, 9-6.
Calvert's three-run homerun proved vital in the game-two victory, as it gave the Warriors a four-run cushion heading into the bottom half of the final inning. The Yotes ended up tallying one run in their last opportunity, so the homerun proved to be the difference on the scoreboard. For Calvert, it was his second long ball of the 2015 season.
Prior to Calvert's blast, senior second baseman Stockton Taylor (Brewster, Wash.) ripped an RBI single to left field, giving Corban back the lead in that ninth inning after College of Idaho had tied it in the eighth with three runs.
The Yotes originally grabbed the advantage, 2-0, after three innings, but Corban responded with five runs over the next several innings to move in front, 5-2. Despite C of I tying things up in that eighth frame, the Warriors showed resiliency, coming up clutch when they needed to in the final frame.
Providing an all-around fantastic performance was junior pitcher Nic Coffman (Portland, Ore.), as he threw six innings on the bump for the Warriors in game two on Sunday, allowing just three hits and two runs, only one of which was earned. On top of striking out six batters, he went 2-for-2 at the dish, racking up two RBI and three runs scored.
"Hayden's three-run shot changed the game in the nightcap, and Nic Coffman continued his hot streak today, giving us six strong innings on the mound," said head coach Jeff McKay. "He is as good as any two-way college player in the northwest."
Also performing well at the plate, Taylor went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while senior left-fielder Peter Martin (Toledo, Wash.) went 2-for-2 with one RBI in the win.
"The guys battled back well in game two after a very tough loss in game one," said McKay. "We had an improved offensive approach most of the day today. This team is playing well in a lot of areas, but there are a couple of things that need some adjustment still. We will change some things this week and look forward to playing at home this week to get ready for another tough conference road trip."
In Sunday's opener, junior pitcher Tony Davidson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) pitched all the way into the ninth inning, taking a 3-2 lead into the bottom half of the final frame. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Yotes got the clutch hits needed to secure the 4-3 walk-off triumph. Davidson's final line saw him go eight innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while striking out four and giving up 10 hits.
The flow of the game was back and forth, as C of I (18-9) took the early one-run advantage, but Corban responded with a run in the third and then two more in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. The Yotes responded with one run in the sixth and then the final two in the ninth frame.
At the plate, sophomore third baseman Vince Gonzalez (Kennewick, Wash.) and freshman catcher Austin Zavala (Medford, Ore.) both registered two-hit performances in the defeat.
Corban (12-13) returns home to Salem for its 2015 home-opener at Warrior Field on Wednesday to take on NCAA Division III opponent, George Fox University. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
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