SALEM, Ore. – In a clash between two Salem institutions, the Corban University baseball team saw some impressive performances from its bullpen, as the Warriors held Willamette University to just four hits en route to a 7-2 triumph over the Bearcats. With the win, the Navy and Gold improved to 5-2 in its last seven contests.
The Warriors were led by senior left-fielder Peter Martin (Toledo, Wash.) and freshman center-fielder Chase Swainston (Nampa, Idaho), as they both recorded two hits and two RBI in the winning effort.
In his inaugural appearance for the Navy and Gold, freshman hurler Zach Toney (Meridian, Idaho) confined Willamette to only one hit and registered two strikeouts in the first three innings en route to his first collegiate victory. Meanwhile, sophomore lefty Daniel Aranda (Lebanon, Ore.) came on in the bottom of the fourth and compiled four strikeouts and coughed up two runs in three innings for Corban.
"Zach Toney pitched very well in his Warrior debut," said head coach Jeff McKay. "He also got his first college win. We used two freshmen and two sophomores on the mound, and they all threw well."
After both teams drew two scoreless innings, Corban banked a pair of runs in the third frame thanks to some sloppy play by the Bearcats. Senior right-fielder Jon Mercer (Bothell, Wash.) reached base on a throwing error by senior pitcher Eland Tsubata, and he eventually reached home via a second throwing miscue by Tsubata to tally the Warriors' first run. With runners on the corners, senior second baseman Ben Straka (Eugene, Ore.) notched Corban's first RBI of the day with a ground out to score Swainston for the Navy and Gold's second run of the ball game.
In the top of the fifth, Corban piled on a quartet of runs to give itself some breathing room. With two runners in scoring position and no outs, Swainston ripped a two-run double down the right-field line to give the Warriors a 4-0 advantage. Moments later, senior first baseman Daniel Orr (Kingston, Wash.) hit an RBI ground out to score Swainston, and then senior left-fielder Peter Martin (Toledo, Wash.) belted an RBI single to cap Corban's four-run frame.
Willamette (16-5, 9-4 NWC) eventually broke its dry spell in the bottom of the sixth, as freshman third baseman Mason Fessler hit a one-out single to score junior second baseman Austin Hagarty. Then, senior left-fielder Devin Bales drew a bases loaded walk to pull the Bearcats within four (6-2). However, Aranda kept his cool on the mound, as he struck out freshman center-fielder Perry Van Eckhardt to retire the side and stop the bleeding for the Warriors.
The Navy and Gold turned to its bullpen in the bottom of the seventh, as sophomore right-handed hurler Joey McCabe (Olympia, Wash.) made his second appearance of the 2015 campaign. The righty didn't disappoint, as he tossed two innings of hitless baseball for Corban.
With runners on the corners for Corban in the ninth, Martin delivered an RBI single to center field to grant the Navy and Gold a 7-2 advantage. In the bottom half of the frame, Corban turned to freshman pitcher Dallas Broge (Huntington Beach, Calif.), and the youngster retired the three batters he faced to lock up the five-run victory for the Warriors.
"Willamette is a good team with a good record, so it is a quality win," commented McKay. "Peter Martin continues to swing the hot bat. We made some very good plays defensively, and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes. The guys are excited for this coming weekend and the conference home opener."
Corban (16-15, 4-4 CCC) returns to action this weekend for its Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) home opener against Concordia University, as the Warriors will have a pair of doubleheaders against the Cavaliers on Friday and Saturday. First pitch for game one on Friday is slated for 1 p.m.
