KEIZER, Ore. – Under the lights of Volcanoes Stadium, the Corban University Baseball team (5-12, 0-0) used a lights-out pitching effort and timely hitting to take down the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (11-10,0-0) by a final score of 4-3. 

"It was fun to see the guys put together a consistent effort in all three phases. UBC is a great team and it takes a solid effort from our whole roster to get a win." Warriors' Head Coach Ethan Bragg stated after the win. "I'm excited to watch us respond to another opportunity tomorrow." Bragg continued. 

The night began with an absolute pitching clinic by both squads. Warriors starting pitcher, junior Nate Martin, allowed just three hits through the first three innings. While Thunderbirds starting pitcher, Brett Corbeth, allowed just two hits in the first three frames.  

The middle third of the game saw the bats come alive for both teams, starting off with the top of the fourth inning for UBC. A hit by pitch allowed Mike Fitzsimmons to reach base with one out and put pressure on the Warriors. A single by Trent Lenihan, his second hit of the evening, put two runners on for Kyle Anderson. Anderson took advantage of the situation and singled to bring in Fitzsimmons to give the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead. Not to be left out of the hitting barrage, Mitchell Middlemiss followed Anderson with a triple to right field, bringing in two and making it a 3-0 game. 

Corban made sure to quickly shrink the Thunderbird lead with an absolute bomb to left field by Roger Viloria to lead off the bottom of the fourth. However, that was the only run the Warriors could muster in the inning. 

Martin collected himself in the top of the fifth with a quick 1-2-3 inning. The Warriors returned to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and quickly hit into two outs. With two outs the Clay brothers brought out the rally bats, starting with Ryan Clay. Ryan Clay singled to right center, then advanced on a wild pitch. Kyle Clay then worked the count to induce a walk. Viloria returned to the plate where he was hit by a pitch to create a bases loaded situation. Back-to-back singles by Elijah Maris and Brad Pellkofer created a musical bases situation and evened the score at 3-3 after five.  

The bottom of the seventh looked very familiar to spectators as the Clay brothers once again put pressure on the UBC defense. Ryan Clay led off the inning with a single again, followed by a Kyle Clay walk. An impressive double steal of 3rd and 2nd base put them in scoring position with no outs. Following a strike out by Chris Grayson, who replaced Viloria after the HBP, Elijah Maris laid down a beautiful bunt that allowed Ryan Clay to score and ultimately was the winning run at 4-3. 

Martin collected his third win (3-1) of the season with an absolute gem. Martin went eight innings strong, fanning seven batters while allowing three runs on seven hits. Corban brought in Trevor Szczepanek to close the door and collect his second save of the season. 

Brett Corbeth offered the Thunderbirds a strong outing as well. Going five innings, Corbeth gave up three runs on seven hits as well, but only struck out three on the night. Lefty Daniel Sereda, came on in the sixth inning and pitched two strong innings. Sereda struck out five, gave up one hit and one walk on the evening; however, he ultimately took his first loss as his one earned run was the difference maker. Kellen Bourne came in and pitched a flawless eighth inning to keep the score difference locked at one. 

As mentioned earlier, Ryan and Kyle Clay kept constant pressure on the UBC pitching staff going a combined 2 for 5 with three runs and two walks. Roger Viloria launched his first homer of the season in the fifth, while Brad Pellkofer had a multi-hit night for the Warriors as well. The Warrior bats tallied 8 hits on the evening.  

The middle of the UBC lineup proved to be a formidable challenge to the Warriors staff as Trent Lenihan and Mitchell Middlemiss accounted for four of the seven Thunderbird hits on the evening. Middlemiss capitalized with runners on base bringing in two on the evening, while Ryan Anderson provided an RBI as well. 

The Warriors and Thunderbirds will return to the diamond Saturday with an afternoon doubleheader. The first game is slated to start at 12pm while the second game is scheduled for approximately 3pm. 

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