COSTA MESA, Calif. – Using a similar formula to Tuesday's top-20 victory, the Corban University baseball team came from behind on Wednesday to down No. 20 Vanguard University, 8-5. For the Warriors, it was the team's second-straight win against a top-20 team.
"It took using all of the position players today, so it was nice to have a big win like this," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "Holmes and Penrod came out of the bullpen to close out a top-level team."
Zach Penrod had himself a big day, both at the plate and then on the mound as well. In the first frame at the dish, Penrod got Corban on the board with an RBI single to right field to give the Warriors the early lead.
After Vanguard responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, Corban tied things up when Penrod registered an RBI groundout in the third frame. Penrod then ripped an RBI single in the fifth inning to put the Warriors up by a run, but the Lions responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead over the Warriors.
Unfazed, Corban bounced right back in the seventh with four runs, as Penrod recorded yet another RBI to make it a one-run ballgame, and then Drew Loera stepped into the box and came up clutch with a two-RBI single through the left side to give Corban the lead. The Warriors would tack on one more to make it a 7-5 advantage before the inning was done.
Loera came up with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning for an insurance run, and then Penrod came on in the ninth on the mound to close the door, earning the save while securing Corban's second-straight upset victory over an NAIA Top-20 team.
"Penrod also broke out offensively, which we will need in the long run," said McKay. "This is a big win, as it sets us up for a huge weekend series at Biola."
Penrod finished the contest 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored, while Josh Ebert also tallied three hits and a pair of runs scored for Corban in the win. Loera notched three RBI while both Robert Bultena and Daniel Freiburger registered two hits apiece.
Austin Holmes earned the win for the Warriors, tossing two innings of shutout ball while allowing just one hit. Penrod earned the save, sitting the Lions down 1-2-3 in the ninth.
Corban (5-4) returns to the diamond tomorrow to begin a four-game series with Biola University. Tomorrow will now be played as a doubleheader, beginning at 11 a.m.
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