SALEM, Ore. – Senior pitcher Austin Guzzon threw a complete-game five-hitter in Friday's opener vs. Concordia University, leading the Corban University baseball team to split results against the Cavaliers on day one of the two-day NAIA-West series. The Warriors won game one, 4-1, while dropping game two against the Cavs, 6-4.
"It was a very good effort by Austin Guzzon in game one," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "It was his best outing of the season, and just what you want a number-one starter to do to start a series. Defense continues to be a staple for this club, as it really showed overall well in both games."
Firing on all cylinders throughout the opener, Guzzon did need to get out of a jam in the first frame, striking out the final batter of the inning to escape unscathed, stranding three runners on base. After that, he settled into a groove, giving up just one run in the fourth frame. Over the course of the nine-inning performance, he scattered five hits while striking out nine Concordia batters, tying his season-high.
The Warrior bats gave Guzzon all the run support he needed in game one, scoring a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth frame to nab a 3-1 advantage. Senior left-fielder Peter Martin (Toledo, Wash.) registered a big hit in the inning, ripping an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 1-1. Sophomore third baseman Vince Gonzalez (Kennewick, Wash.) followed that up with a single to right field, and then freshman catcher Austin Zavala (Medford, Ore.) notched an RBI single to left, scoring senior second baseman Stockton Taylor (Brewster, Wash.). The Warriors eventually added one more in the inning to extend the lead to two runs.
The Navy and Gold tacked on an insurance run in the sixth inning when sophomore shortstop Ryan Rosas (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) put down the perfect bunt single right in front of home plate, scoring freshman pinch runner Chase Swainston (Nampa, Idaho) from third base on the squeeze.
From that point on, Guzzon shut the door on the Cavaliers, finishing the key game-one triumph for the Warriors in impressive form.
Watch the post-game interview with Guzzon:
At the plate, it was junior designated hitter Nic Coffman (Portland, Ore.) who led the way with a 4-for-4 showing and one run scored. Rosas also performed well, going 2-for-5 with one RBI.
For the Cavaliers in game one, Nate Esposito registered a two-hit performance, while Jordan Spencer went five innings while giving up nine hits and three runs on the mound in the loss.
Corban is now 16-5 when leading after six innings during the 2015 campaign.
In game two, the Cavaliers jumped in front in the second frame, but Corban responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the same inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly from sophomore catcher Jackson Smith (Salem, Ore.).
Concordia answered right back with a homerun from Adam Taylor in the third, but Corban senior first baseman Daniel Orr (Kingston, Wash.) laced an RBI triple into deep right field in the bottom of the third, scoring senior center-fielder Marc Gallegos (Astoria, Ore.) on the play. Orr came in to score a batter later when Coffman hit a sacrifice fly.
The lead would not last long, however, as the Cavaliers tacked on one run in the fourth, and then another in the fifth, regaining the one-run advantage. Concordia then extended the lead to three runs via a two-run eighth frame.
Coffman blasted a solo homerun in the bottom of the eighth, but it was too little too late for the Navy and Gold, as the Cavaliers held on for the 6-4 victory.
Jason Snodgrass earned the win in the nightcap for the Cavs, going seven strong innings while giving up just five hits and three runs. Austin Hadley picked up the save, pitching two innings for Concordia.
"The inconsistency of the offense is still in need of improvement," said McKay. "Making an adjustment to their pitchers in what they throw and when is a big part of how we can put ourselves in a better situation against good teams. Game one was another high hit total with few runs. It was good to have Marc Gallegos back in the lineup after missing two weeks, and we need him at the top of the lineup."
In the game-two defeat, Gallegos registered one hit and scored a run for Corban, while Orr tallied a team-best two hits with one RBI. Coffman finished the contest with the one hit and two RBI.
"In game two, we had our chances," said McKay. "We need to come out tomorrow with a renewed effort. Concordia will likely be in the conference top-spot race, so we can make a statement tomorrow with two wins."
Corban (17-16, 5-5 NAIA-West) returns to the diamond tomorrow against Concordia (13-17, 5-5 NAIA-West) to wrap up the series with another doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live stats, live video, and live play-by-play audio will all be available tomorrow if you are unable to make it to the game!
