KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball team (7-21, 1-5) was unable to overcome late-game rallies by the Bushnell University Beacons (18-9, 6-0), as the Warriors fell 3-2 and 4-2 on their home field earlier this evening.
"Tough couple games for us today," Warriors' Head Coach Ethan Bragg said shortly after the results went final. "We have our share of chances in close games and need to find a way to believe success is coming our way in the bigger moments."
Game 1 – Bushnell 3, Corban 2
Senior catcher Keenan O'Brien jumpstarted Corban's offensive output with a scorching double off the left-field wall with the team's first at-bat. Freshman pinch-runner Michon Cole replaced O'Brien, and the Warriors kept the momentum rolling with an RBI single from Elijah Maris, sending Cole home.
The Beacons had trouble getting on the board for the first few innings until right fielder Dylan Carson stepped up to the plate in the fourth and sixth innings. With back-to-back homeruns, Carson swung the momentum in the Beacons favor, including a right field bomb that scored pinch-runner Dylan Martin and gave Carson his 13th RBI of the season. Bushnell's lead extended to 3-1.
Sophomore degisnated hitter Scott Artzer brought Corban to life in the ninth inning after an RBI single that scored Maris. Artzer continued to put the Warriors in striking range after stealing 2nd and advancing to 3rd on a wild pitch. The late game push proved to be too little, too late, and the Beacons secured the win on a groundout to first base.
Warriors' junior starting pitcher Nate Martin collected nine strikeouts but was credited with the loss after allowing six hits and three runs through 7.2 innings. Redshirt sophomore relief pitcher Trevor Szczepanek finished the game, allowing just one hit.
Bushnell starter Ethan Sachs earned his second win of the year for the Beacons, pitching 8.1 innings, tallying five strikeouts, five hits, and only two runs. Closer Kai Keomo entered the game from the Bushnell bullpen in the ninth inning and earned his first save of the season.
Maris led the Warriors' offense, reaching base three times and recording an RBI, his 19th of the season. O'Brien, Artzer, and sophomore third baseman Ryan Clay chipped in as well with one hit apiece.
Carson had a big night recording all three Beacon RBI's, homering twice, and finishing with three total hits. Catcher Brandon Reed contributed two runs to the score, while Crist and Hino each recorded one hit.
Game 2 – Bushnell 4, Corban 2
Maris picked up right where he left of in the second half of the double header reaching 1st on a single up middle field. Maris made it his mission to round the bases stealing 2nd and advancing to 3rd after a Bushnell error. Junior left fielder Kyle Clay stepped up to the plate and brought Maris home, powering an RBI double into right field and giving the Warriors a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.
Junior outfielder Brad Pellkofer sent the ball sailing over the right field fence for his first home run of the season, extending the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning.
Despite holding Bushnell scoreless in the first five innings, a costly error coming off a bunt from left fielder Noah Montoya allowed two runs to score unearned with himself reaching third on the play. Montoya would not stay on base for long, as Crist RBI doubled to right center and gave Bushnell a 3-0 lead.
Withstanding six total errors, an RBI single from designated hitter Jameson Hussey in the 8th inning helped the Beacons win the game 4-2 and remain undefeated in CCC play.
The Corban bullpen struggled to keep the Beacons off the scoreboard with all three pitchers Greenhalgh, Childs, and Szczepanek allowing at least one run scored. Childs was credited with the loss moving his record to 1-2 on the year.
The Beacons came away from the contest only allowing two runs scored, both coming in the first two innings, and tallied thirteen strikeouts. Starter Jahshua Yacapin earned his second win of the year with relief pitcher Colby Knutzen adding the save to his resume.
Maris had his second two-hit ballgame of the day with five total Warriors recording a hit. Kyle Clay and Pellkofer finished with an RBI each.
Shortstop Eddie Stacy hit two singles and a double leading the way for Bushnell who would record seven hits on the night. Crist and Hussey each added runs to the scoreboard with RBI's of their own.
Corban Baseball returns to Volcanoes Stadium Sunday afternoon to complete their weekend slate against the Bushnell Beacons starting at 2pm PDT.
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