KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball team (3-8, 0-0) was unable to overcome pitching deficits today in their final doubleheader against the Oregon Tech Owls (10-5, 0-0), as OIT bounced back in game one to earn a 9-5 victory before shutting out the Warriors in game two, 17-0.
"Obviously the standard we set ourselves wasn't met this weekend," Corban Head Coach Ethan Bragg shared earlier this evening. "I take pride in having our group prepared to limit free bases and compete each weekend and I failed to get us there this week."
Bragg went on to state, "We will get back to work for a great week of practice and look forward to another opportunity next weekend to continue to improve in all facets of the game."
Game 1 – Oregon Tech 9, Corban 5
After the Warriors allowed four first inning runs to the Owls and earned one back in the bottom of the first via an overthrow from the OIT catcher, Corban quickly erased their deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning. After junior right fielder Chris Grayson drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run, sophomore shortstop Ryan Clay grounded into a fielder's choice that scored another run, then Clay acted as a diversion in an attempt to steal second that allowed junior centerfielder Brad Pellkofer to scoot home and knot this game at 4-4.
Each team remained silent on the offensive end over the next three innings, before a pitching change on Corban's end in the top of the seventh proved to be the downfall for the Warriors, as the Owls tallied five runs in their top of the inning to take a 9-4 lead, an advantage that would hold for the remainder of the afternoon.
Senior first baseman Nainoa Ka'ahanui tacked on another RBI on his early the season via a sacrifice fly into left field, allowing junior designated hitter Reese Fawley to run home with ease. However, the Owls were able to hold off any further comeback attempt from the Warriors over the final two innings, leading to the series win for the visiting Oregon Tech squad.
Freshman starting pitcher Ryson Wa'alani avoided taking the loss in this contest after his offense managed to tie the game later, as he was responsible for all four runs without recording an out in the first inning via three walks and a hit batter.
Junior relief pitcher Bryce Bridge relieved Wa'alani in the opening frame, and despite allowing all of the baserunners that Wa'alani allowed to reach home safely, Bridge would go on to pitch a masterful 6.0 innings and allow no runs on three hits, striking out three batters, walking two and hitting another two batters.
James Arend, junior relief pitcher for the Warriors, ended up being held responsible for the loss in game one, as he allowed five runs off seven hits in 3.0 innings of work, striking out just one Owl batter.
Despite allowing four runs off two hits in 5.0 innings pitched, Owls' starting pitcher Cody Dubray was able to escape with a no decision and eight strikeouts, while relief pitcher Braeden Bellum took home the win after 2.0 innings of action, allowing just one run on three hits and a pair of strikeouts. Fellow relief pitcher Ryan Poling threw the final 2.0 innings of the game and allowed a clean slate of no runs, no hits, walking two and striking out one.
Senior catcher Keenan O'Brien was the lone Warrior to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-2 on the day and drawing a walk. Junior pinch runner Aidan Bunn served as the courtesy runner for O'Brien, scoring two runs on the day.
O'Brien's counterpart, OIT catcher Tyler Horner, also recorded a perfect day at the plate, earning three hits, an RBI, and a run scored in the process. Shortstop Sean Tobin was the other Owl with multiple hits, slashing a pair of base knocks and an RBI.
Game 2 – Oregon Tech 17, Corban 0
It was all Oregon Tech in the finale of the four-game series, as the Owls jumped on the Corban pitching staff for at least one run in every inning starting in the top of the third inning. They would go on to score 17 runs in the contest and hold the Warriors scoreless through eight innings before the run rule kicked in after the bottom of the eighth inning.
Four different Warriors took to the mound over the 8.0 innings played in game two today, struggling to induce outs and keep the Owls off the basepaths. Sophomore starting pitcher Hayden Van Acker was charged with the loss after throwing 5.1 inning of action, allowing six runs on 12 hits and striking out a game-high four batters. The three relief pitchers for Corban, redshirt sophomore Trevor Szczepanek, senior Jaren Childs, and senior Alex Hakes combined for the final 2.2 innings of the contest, allowing 11 more runs on six hits.
Oregon Tech starting pitcher Brendan Talonen pitched a gem in his 7.0 innings of work on the mound, allowing three hits, walking four and striking out a batter in a scoreless effort. Relief pitcher Cruz Hamilton closed out the final inning of the game, allowing just one walk.
Clay, Ka'ahanui, and junior centerfielder Brian Landon were the only Navy and Gold clad student-athletes to earn hits in game two, as the lineup drew five walks and struck out only once, hitting into numerous double plays, lineouts, and flyball outs.
The Owls spread out 18 total hits over nine different batters, led by Tobin's 4-for-5 performance with two RBI and two runs scored. Pinch hitter Justin Francis batted twice in OIT's 10-run eighth inning, notching two hits and a game-high four RBI.
Corban Baseball hits the road next weekend for another non-conference series with a conference foe, as they'll battle I-5 rival Bushnell University (6-4, 0-0) first on Friday at 12pm and 3pm PST.
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