WILSONVILLE, Ore. – The Corban University baseball team came from behind to upset No. 2-ranked Lewis-Clark State College on Saturday afternoon at Wilsonville High School, winning 3-1. The victory was a big one, as it was an NAIA West Conference contest, and for Corban, the triumph snapped a 14-game losing streak against LCSC.
Click 'Play Button' on photo above for video highlights from the upset victory for Corban.
"It is a great win for the Warriors against as good or maybe the best team in the country," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "Our guys believed after some bad and tough games, and Kerr was outstanding today."
The victory is Corban's sixth-ever win over LC State. For LCSC (24-3, 12-3 NAIA West), the loss snaps its current 10-game winning streak it had been riding during the 2016 campaign.
Lewis-Clark State jumped in front in the third frame when Robert Smith Jr. ripped an RBI double to left field, putting the visiting Warriors in front by a run.
Corban, unfazed, answered in the bottom of the fifth when junior catch Jackson Smith (Salem, Ore.) laced a long two-out RBI double into the gap in right-center, plating Warrior junior shortstop Ryan Rosas (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) to tie the ballgame.
Rosas then came up clutch in the seventh frame, as after freshman right fielder Jalen Garcia (Billings, Mont.) led off with a double to right field and junior third baseman Vince Gonzalez (Kennewick, Wash.) registered a bunt single, putting runners on first and third, Rosas stepped up to the dish in a big spot. Rosas lined the go-ahead game-winning RBI single to center field, scoring Garcia from third.
The Navy and Gold added a third run in the eighth inning thanks to a nice hustle play from freshman Zach Penrod (Nampa, Idaho) as he grounded into a fielder's choice, but beat out the throw at first base on the attempted double play by LCSC, allowing another Corban run to score.
LCSC tried to mount a comeback in the ninth frame, but Warrior sophomore pitcher Jarett Thoren (Nampa, Idaho) closed the door and secured the vital win for Corban.
"We had key situational hitting and played tough defense," said McKay. "We learned we are capable of beating anyone we play, and that should give us the confidence to make a run in the conference."
Thoren earned the win for Corban, tossing three shutout innings while allowing three hits and striking out two. He came on in relief of Corban freshman pitcher Thomas Kerr (Olympia, Wash.) who struck out a career-best nine batters in six innings, allowing only one earned run in the no-decision.
After the game, Rosas and Kerr talked about the big victory:
At the dish, junior left fielder Benjamin Liogon (Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico), Smith, and Gonzalez all recorded multi-hit performances with two each for Corban.
For LCSC, Robert Smith Jr. went 3-for-5 with the team's one RBI, while Logan Griffin also notched three hits in the defeat. In addition, Cabe Reiten registered two hits for LCSC.
"The second half of the conference schedule begins next week," said McKay, "and it is time for this team to step up and the young and inexperienced players to come of age. We are looking forward to worshipping our risen Lord tomorrow. Happy Easter to all."
Corban (11-16, 7-8 NAIA West) returns to the diamond on Tuesday against cross-town rival Willamette University. First pitch at Bush Park in the non-conference contest is set for 3 p.m.
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