WILSONVILLE, Ore. – What was a pitcher's duel early through the first five innings on Thursday turned into a lopsided result for No. 2-ranked Lewis-Clark State College, as the Warriors from Lewiston downed the Corban University Warriors at Wilsonville High School, 13-0. This first game of the four-game series between the two Warrior squads was a non-conference contest, with the three NAIA West games set to be played on Friday and Saturday.
Corban sophomore pitcher Connor Mattison (Salem, Ore.) was dealing early on and worked through the first five frames without giving up a run. While cruising through the first three innings, he labored in the fourth frame as LCSC loaded the bases with just one out. He struck out the next batter, however, and then got the final LCSC batter of the inning to foul out down the third base side, escaping the jam.
On the other side of the ball, LCSC's Kevin Hamann needed to escape a first-inning scare when Corban had runners on at second and third base, but a hard line drive from Warrior junior left fielder Benjamin Liogon (Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico) was nailed straight at the LCSC left fielder, ending the threat.
Lewis-Clark State eventually got to Mattison in the sixth frame, as the No. 2-ranked Warriors scored four runs in the inning, taking advantage of three doubles. LCSC tacked on one more in the seventh, two in the eighth, and then a grand slam from Robert Smith in the ninth inning made it 13-0, taking what was a pitcher's duel early on and ending the game in a lopsided result.
For LCSC, Cabe Reiten went 4-for-5 at the dish with two RBI, while both Tyler McDowell and Gunnar Buhner tallied two hits apiece for Lewis-Clark State. On the mound, Hamann went the distance, throwing a complete game shutout while allowing just four hits and striking out four along the way.
"Credit LC State for a well-pitched game and they showed their offensive firepower when we missed with pitches," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "We hit some balls hard early but could not find holes. Connor threw well for six, but the bullpen was not able to pick him up today. I expect us to come back well tomorrow."
For Corban, junior catcher Jackson Smith (Salem, Ore.) registered a hit in the first inning, and three other players recorded hits in the game as well. Sophomore third baseman Kyle Kilian (Prosser, Wash.), freshman designated hitter Jalen Garcia (Billings, Mont.), and junior center fielder Davis Alderman (Kennewick, Wash.) all recorded hits in the contest for Corban.
Corban (10-14) returns to action tomorrow and begins the conference portion of the series against the No. 2-ranked LCSC Warriors (22-2) in an NAIA West doubleheader. First pitch at Wilsonville HS is set for 12 p.m. Live stats will be available online.
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