SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Corban University baseball team fell behind early on Valentine's Day, but the Warriors rallied and came from behind to shock the No. 11-ranked Mustangs of The Master's University, 5-4. The win snaps Corban's three-game losing streak.
"It was a much needed tremendous effort from our bullpen in a big win," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "Austin Holmes and Dom Baker were outstanding. They refused to let the tough opening weekend get them down while also being down three runs after the first inning. We had some quality at-bats that manufactured some runs."
The Warriors got things going in the first frame when Jackson Smith stepped up to the dish and ripped an RBI single, scoring Ryan Rosas from third.
The Master's responded with four runs of its own in the bottom half of the frame, however, putting Corban in an early hole, forcing the Warriors to once again have to try to come from behind.
In the fourth inning, the Warriors pulled within two runs when Tyler Reitz came up clutch with an RBI single, scoring Zach Penrod from second base.
Then in the sixth with the bases loaded and one out, Cody Schmidt walked, recording the RBI to score Vince Gonzalez on the play. Ryan Rosas then stepped up to the dish with the bases juiced and was hit by a pitch, tying the contest at 4-4. Smith then provided the play the Warriors needed, recording an RBI groundout to the right side, deep enough to score Reitz from third base on the play to give Corban the one-run lead.
Over the course of the remainder of the contest, Dom Baker was lights out on the mound for Corban, as he shut down the Mustangs' offense en route to earning the win. Baker tossed five innings of shutout baseball while allowing just two hits and striking out five. Also with a stellar performance out of the bullpen was Austin Holmes, as Holmes threw three innings while dispersing just three hits and allowing no runs in relief.
"This will give us some momentum going into the rest of the trip," said McKay. "It is nice to be playing consistent games to get better and establish some roles. It was a pleasure competing against a Christ-centered school of its reputation."
At the plate, Smith finished 2-for-4 with a team-best two RBI, while Penrod notched two hits as well for the Warriors in a pitching-dominated contest that only saw Corban total six hits overall.
Corban (4-4) returns to the diamond tomorrow at No. 20-ranked Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Become a fan of Corban Athletics on Facebook
Follow Corban Athletics on Twitter @CorbanAthletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Instagram: corbanathletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Snapchat: corbanathletics
Watch Corban Warrior videos on Youtube: CorbanUAthletics
Sign up for our Corban Warriors email Newsletter
#WarriorNation
