MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball team (4-12, 0-0) suffered a setback this afternoon in a non-conference loss to NCAA Linfield University (5-8), as the Warriors fell 4-1 at Roy Helser Field in a makeup match from earlier this season that was rained out.
"I thought our pitchers really attacked the strike zone well today," Warriors' Head Coach Ethan Bragg said shortly after their non-conference loss. "We need to be better defensively to back up quality outings like we had today."
Linfield struck right out the gate with a run in the bottom of the first inning, scoring via a sacrifice fly after the leadoff batter doubled and advanced to third on a groundball out.
The Wildcats tacked on three more runs five innings later, scoring on a bases loaded error, groundout, and sacrifice fly to provide themselves with a healthy 4-0 lead on their home field.
Corban finally earned their first and only run of the day the next half inning, as sophomore shortstop Elijah Maris singled to right field, scoring junior centerfielder Brad Pellkofer from third base. The Linfield pitching staff closed out the contest by keeping the Warriors off the board for the remainder of the afternoon, leading to the 4-1 victory for the home team.
Senior starting pitcher Jaren Childs accepted his first loss of the season after allowing the first inning run in just 2.0 innings pitched, with five more relief pitchers taking the rubber for Corban over 7.0 innings.
The Wildcats also used a pitching-by-committee mindset in their midweek non-conference contest, as starting pitcher Spencer Burgess also pitched only 2.0 innings and picked up his first win of the year. Five more pitchers took to the mound for Linfield, with Jackson Koons allowing the single Corban run in the top of the seventh.
Maris and Pellkofer each recorded hits and were responsible for the lone RBI and run of the day, respectively, with junior leftfielder Chris Grayson and senior first baseman Nainoa Ka'ahanui tallying hits as well.
Wildcats' first baseman Branden Pasion and designated hitter Cameron Skinner were the only student-athletes today that earned multi-hit performances, each scoring a run in the process.
Corban Baseball will return to the diamond this upcoming weekend at Volcanoes Stadium, as they'll welcome the Thunderbirds of the University of British Columbia (11-9, 0-0) for the final non-conference four-game series between Cascade Collegiate Conference opponents before conference series begin next week.
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