ADAIR VILLAGE, Ore. – A late ninth-inning push wouldn't be enough for the Corban University baseball team in game one, as the Warriors dropped the opener of a four-game set with NCAA Division II Central Washington University by a final score of 8-4. Neither team was able to conjure much offense in the day's latter contest, as the two squads played to a scoreless tie; the game-two stalemate stands as just the third draw in Corban baseball history.

Central Washington took advantage of a couple of seeing-eye singles in the first frame of game one, putting up a pair of runs to snag an early lead against Corban's Jonathan Russomano. The Wildcats would tack on two more in the fourth and another in the fifth—all of which were charged to the Warrior ace—before blowing the game open with a three-run eighth inning.

In his return to the Warrior lineup, 2018 All-NAIA West outfielder Josh Ebert brought home Corban's first run of the game, lining an RBI single into centerfield to bring home Tanner Marsh in the eighth.

The Warriors would make a late push in the contest's final frame, adding a trio of runs via an RBI single from Daniel Freiburger and a two-run knock from Nate Cantonwine. In the end, it would be too little, too late, as Central Washington captured an 8-4 victory for its first win of the 2019 season.

Wildcat leadoff man Cameron McGrath provided the spark for Central Washington's offense in the victory, going 3-for-5 and scoring two runs from the top spot. Center fielder Justin Hampson (2-for-4, two runs), corner man Mitch Lesmeister (2-for-4, two RBIs), and backstop Robert Ball (2-for-4, BB) also finished with multi-hit games.

Maxwell Jeffrey—who was competing in his first game back from injury—was the lone Warrior to finish with multiple hits, as the sophomore utility man reached twice on a pair of infield singles in his 2019 debut.

Both teams' starters turned in excellent performances on the mound in game two, as Central Washington and Corban combined for just nine hits total in the scoreless tie. Zachary Filos—the reigning conference pitcher of the week—was outstanding again today, striking out six in six and two-thirds.

Filos handed the ball off to Jacob Bowser midway through the seventh, and the Warrior closer made some crucial pitches in just over an inning of work, escaping danger and preserving the shutout. 

Due to weather and lighting concerns, the game (which was originally scheduled to be a seven-inning contest) was cut short after eight full innings of play. The contest was determined complete, resulting in just the third tie in Corban's history, and most recent since 2001.

The Warriors (2-8-1) will finish their four-game set against the Wildcats tomorrow, with first pitch of the non-conference doubleheader slated for 11 a.m. at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, Ore.