KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Despite allowing a walk-off loss in the opener of a four-game Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) series, the Corban University Baseball team (9-23, 3-7) salvaged a day one split with the RV Oregon Tech Owls (24-12, 11-3) by posting 15 runs in the nightcap game to win 15-9 after dropping the first contest 4-3.
"Game two was a great bounce back win for us," Warriors' Head Coach Ethan Bragg stated earlier this evening. "OIT does a great job competing pitch-for-pitch and we were able to win more pitches than they did today. Tomorrow is going to be another battle."
Game 1 – OIT 4, Corban 3
An RBI bunt from sophomore infielder Ryan Clay broke the game open after five innings of scoreless play. Clay's bunt and a throwing error from the Owls pitcher Patrick Arman provided freshman outfielder Michon Cole an opportunity to dash home, capturing the first lead of the game.
The Warriors weren't done adding to their sixth inning total yet. An RBI groundout and sac-fly on back-to-back plays from junior outfielder Kyle Clay and sophomore utility Elijah Maris allowed two unearned runs to score, making the game 3-0 in favor of the Warriors.
Despite Corban capturing momentum in the sixth, the Hustlin' Owls hustled their way back into the game after a bomb third baseman Tyler Horner soared over the right center fence. Horner' homer scored himself and catcher Korrey Siracusa, closing the gap on the scoreboard 3-2.
Bryce Petrilla crossed homeplate for the game-tying score thanks to a left side RBI single from outfielder Matthew Lehrbach, sending the teams into the ninth inning notched at 3-3.
Oregon Tech completed their comeback after Siracusa scored off fielder's choice in the bottom of the ninth, making the final score 4-3.
It was a strong showing from sophomore pitcher Hayden Van Acker, who did not allow a single hit in six innings of play for the Warriors. Van Acker finished with six strikeouts before being replaced by reliever Trevor Szczpanek, who would allow four runs and pick up his third loss of the season.
Arman pitched eight innings for the Owl's, allowing five hits, three runs scored, and tallying five strikeouts. Junior reliever Ryan Poling earned his fourth win of the season after coming in to pitch the final inning and allowing just one hit.
Junior center-fielder Brad Pellkofer led the Corban batters with two hits. The Clay brothers and Maris each chipped in with an RBI of their own.
Tech had four players record runs, hits, and an RBI. Notably, Horner with two RBI and Siracusa scoring two runs for the Hustlin' Owls.
Game 2 – Corban 15, OIT 9
The Warriors exploded out the gate scoring nine runs in the first inning, the most in a single inning this season. The flood began as senior catcher Keenan O'Brien hit a left center homer during the Warrior's first at bat. The rest of the lineup would follow O'Brien's example and the first seven Warriors reached base. With the Hustlin' Owls rattled, freshman first baseman Trey Williams stole home making the score 7-0 in favor of Corban.
O'Brien stepped up to the plate for the second time this inning and powered a triple into left field, bringing Cole home for another score. The Clay's continued to put points on the board with Kyle Clay drilling a single to center field, allowing his brother Ryan Clay to score the ninth point of the inning
Oregon Tech managed to narrowly escape the inning with a single digit ballgame, down 9-0. Despite the early deficit, the Hustlin' Owls refused to die and answered with six runs of their own coming in the first and second innings. Repeat RBI doubles from Julien Jonas and Matthew Ortiz fueled Tech in the first inning, while Siracusa and Horner pushed the score with RBI singles of their own in the second. The Owls would cut the lead to 9-6 after two innings of play.
The third inning saw Kyle Clay and Maris add to the Warrior's impressive total of RBI's, and Tech's infielder Sean Tobin ground out to third, picking up the RBI and making the game 11-7, Corban.
O'Brien remained perfect through four innings, collecting his third RBI with single to Tech's pitcher that would score Williams. Cole and junior infielder Jaden Bunn scored in the fourth after a Ryan Clay RBI and wild pitch, doubling the Owl's run total 14-7.
Oregon Tech would score two runs later in the seventh and eight innings, but it would not be enough. Ryan Clayed scored an unearned run in the ninth giving the Warriors an impressive 15-9 victory over the Owl's in Klamath Falls.
Five different pitchers contributed to make the win possible for Corban. Junior pitcher Preston Johnson earned his first win of the season after three innings without allowing a single hit. Junior Brian Landon also chipped in with three strikeouts of his own.
It was a rough night for Tech's bullpen, allowing fourteen earned runs. Lalo Barraza was credited with his second loss of the season after seeing seven runs scored from the mound.
Corban recorded a staggering sixteen hits, eleven RBI, and ten stolen bases in one of the best offensive outputs of the year. Several Warriors had notable games for the team, with O'Brien totaling three RBI, Kyle Clay and Artzer ending with four hits each, and Ryan Clay finding home base four times.
Siracusa led Tech in with two hits and three runs scored. The Owl's finished with fourteen hits and eight RBI.
The Warriors will return tomorrow to Steen Sports Park in Klamath Falls for their remaining two games against the Hustlin' Owls, beginning at 11am PDT.
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