LEWISTON, Idaho – The Corban University baseball team went up against a talented Lewis-Clark State squad on Saturday, and in a pair of competitive contests, the Warriors fell to the No. 2 team in the NAIA in both games by scores of 5-2.
With senior pitcher Austin Guzzon (Oceanside, Calif.) back on the hill for the Navy and Gold in game one, the Warriors surrendered an early run in the first frame, but pulled back even in the third inning when senior designated hitter Marc Gallegos (Astoria, Ore.) recorded a sacrifice fly, scoring senior second baseman Stockton Taylor (Brewster, Wash.) on the play.
L-C State immediately jumped back on top in the bottom half of the frame, however scoring one of their own. The home squad then added another in the next inning, stretching the lead to 3-1.
Corban sophomore catcher Jackson Smith (Salem, Ore.) brought the Navy and Gold back to within a run in the fifth, notching an RBI groundout. Then with a runner on third, the Warriors had a chance to tie the contest, but were unable to do so.
Lewis-Clark State then took advantage of opportunities in the seventh and eighth, sealing a three-run victory over Corban.
As a team, Corban totaled six hits, while giving up nine. Taylor shined for the Navy and Gold at the dish, going 3-for-4 with one run scored. Gallegos, junior right-fielder Nic Coffman (Portland, Ore.), and senior left-fielder Peter Martin (Toledo, Wash.) notched the other hits for the Warriors.
Guzzon threw six innings for Corban, scattering seven hits while giving up four runs and striking out seven.
Beau Kearns earned the win for L-C State, pitching 8.1 innings while allowing just the six hits and two runs.
In game two, Lewis-Clark State once again nabbed a lead early, this time scoring a run in the second frame.
Corban provided a nice response in the next half inning, as Gallegos ripped an RBI single to right-center, scoring senior Jordan Johansen (Maple Valley, Wash.) on the play to tie the game. Junior left-fielder Landon Frost (Bend, Ore.) then put Corban in front when he recorded a sacrifice fly for the Warriors.
With junior pitcher Tony Davidson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) on the bump for the Navy and Gold, Corban held its lead into the sixth frame, but then with the bases loaded, Lewis-Clark State blasted a homerun to gain the lead back, 5-2.
Over the final three innings, Corban did not threaten offensively, resulting in its second three-run loss of the day by the same score-line.
Corban out-hit L-C State in the nightcap, 5-4, but the home side got the clutch hit when it needed it most, resulting in the bases clearing homerun.
For the Navy and Gold, freshman center-fielder Chase Swainston (Nampa, Idaho) registered a team-best two hits in the defeat. Davidson went six innings for Corban on the mound, allowing four hits and five runs, only four of which were earned.
"Two more closely contested games vs. another nationally-ranked team," said head coach Jeff McKay. "We are playing very hard and this team is on the verge of putting it all together. It was a very hostile environment, but the players kept their poise and focus well. I am proud of them for that. We take seriously the NAIA Champions of Character Initiative."
Corban (10-10) returns to action tomorrow against Lewis-Clark State (12-5). First pitch of a single game is set for 11 a.m.
