KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University baseball team came close to registering a come-from-behind win in game one on Saturday, but the game ultimately resulted in a 1-0 loss against the University of British Columbia. The Warriors would go on to drop the final game of the series in seven innings, 11-1.
"Another one-run loss in a season of many one and two-run losses this year," said Corban head coach Jeff McKay. "We battled, but did not make good adjustments to their pitching. We had some good opportunities to break it open, but we could not get the big hit. Kris Jackson had another outstanding start."
The Thunderbirds struck early in the second inning on a couple of Warrior miscues, as they went up 1-0 after Mackenzie Parlow came around to score. Pitcher Tyler Gillies pitched a complete game-shout for British Columbia, as he went the distance pitching nine innings, while scattering six hits and striking out seven batters.
The Warriors drew close in the eighth inning, as they were able to get a man on third and first for scoring opportunities. However, a mistimed bunt at the next at-bat was able to get the potential scoring run out at home plate. After a quick pick-off at second base, and a quick 1-2-3 9th inning, the Thunderbirds were able to pull out the narrow 1-0 victory in part to their defense.
For the Warriors, juniors Cody Schmidt and Drew Loera registered two hits each on the game, as Schmidt went 2-for-2 and Loera went 2-for-3 on the game. Junior Kris Jackson pitched a remarkable game on the mound, as he went for seven innings allowing only one unearned run while striking out nine batters.
In game two, the Thunderbirds struck early and never looked back. Offensively, British Columbia recorded 11 runs on 12 hits and 10 RBI as a team, with Mitch Robinson and John Waley tallying three hits and two RBI each on the game, while Vinny Martin registered two runs, two hits, and one RBI.
In the defeat, Corban scored one run in the first inning by freshman Josh Ebert, as he came to score from a force double play. The Warriors totaled just five hits, with senior Jackson Smith recording two hits on the game.
"There were not many highlights in game two except for junior Ben Northrup's first varsity hit in his first varsity appearance," said McKay. "We have a little break with the by weekend to get ready for the final conference weekend at the end of the month."
Corban (13-27, 7-20 NAIA West) takes a break from action next week before returning to the field for its final NAIA West Conference regular-season series in 2017. Corban will host Lewis-Clark State College for a five-game series on April 28-30.
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
