ATHERTON, Calif. – Thanks to a 13-run lead that was established early in game four of the series, the Corban University Baseball team was able to force a day two split with host Menlo College in their opening series of the 2024 season, as the Oaks were able to rally to take game one 7-5, while the Warriors posted a dominant 13-7 victory in the series finale.
"Incredibly proud of this team," Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris stated shortly after his first win as the program leader. "They consistently improved in every game this series. Game three was a gritty back-and-forth game, but the effort was tremendous. The end result wasn't what we wanted, but we can go to war with the effort they displayed! Game four, obviously getting the win is a great feeling, but they earned every bit of that win, and I could not be prouder of them."
GAME 1 – Menlo 7, Corban 5
The Oaks (3-1) hopped out to another early lead in the bottom of the first frame, scoring a pair of runs off an RBI groundout and a wild pitch to take a 2-0 advantage over the Warriors (1-3). However, determined to keep this contest as close as yesterday's night cap, the Navy and Gold rebounded the very next inning with two runs of their own on an RBI groundout by senior shortstop Aidan Bunn and a run-scoring single by junior designated hitter Nathaniel Gutierrez.
Menlo battled back with a three-run fifth inning to take a 5-2 advantage on their home field, but Corban once again showed their own grit despite trailing on multiple occasions, adding a run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly ball by Gutierrez and two unearned runs in the top of the eighth after a groundball was botched by the Oaks' second baseman.
Home field advantage proved to be the difference maker in the third overall game between the Warriors and Oaks, as cleanup hitter and rightfielder Justin Flannery belted a two-run homer over the left-center wall, which provided enough momentum to keep Corban off the board in the ninth and barely eke out a win at Cartan Field.
Gutierrez and Bunn led the Warriors' offense with multi-hit performances, with each of them knotting a pair of RBI as well. Redshirt sophomore catcher Joshua Miyazawa and sophomore second baseman Brady Majewski each scored a pair of runs via two walks apiece.
Sophomore starting pitcher Aidan Bray was phenomenal in his first start as a Warrior, allowing only two unearned runs off three hits and five walks in 6.0 innings of work with five strikeouts against the Oaks. Relief pitchers Nathan Findley and Sam Greenhalgh were unable to keep Menlo off the board through the final 3.0 innings, allowing a combined five runs off six hits with no walks or punchouts.
Flannery saved the home team with his two-run bomb in the bottom of the eighth for his second hit of the afternoon contest, while designated hitter Sean Pera racked up three hits and a pair of RBI in the three hole of the lineup.
After 7.0 innings of no decision baseball by starting pitcher Chase Barsotti (6.0 innings, three hits, two unearned runs allowed) and relief pitcher Sam Grannes (1.0 innings, two hits, two runs allowed), relief pitcher Robely Corsi was able to snag a win by holding Corban to just one run on a single hit in 1.0 innings of action. Closer Braden Proud earned the save despite a scary frame where the tying runs reached base under his command.
GAME 2 – Corban 13, Menlo 7 (7 Innings)
After a pair of scoreless frames to start the series finale, the Warriors' hard work finally paid off in the top of the third inning, scoring seven runs on four different at-bats, most notably the two long balls by senior centerfielder Brad Pellkofer and freshman leftfielder Lucas Mertlich to cap off a 7-0 advantage.
The Navy and Gold refused to yield into the fourth inning, adding another five runs via an error by the Oaks' shortstop, a two-RBI double off the bat of redshirt junior catcher Hayden Wilson, and another run-scoring at-bat by Mertlich that netted Corban a 12-0 lead.
Pellkofer singled home another run in the top of the fifth that allowed junior rightfielder Noah Owens to race home from third base and finalize all of the scoring the Warriors would need in their dominant win that would avoid the series sweep and allow the team to travel home on the cusp of the best baseball they played all weekend long.
The Oaks would go on to score seven of their own runs throughout the final three innings of play, which turned out to be a "too little, too late" scenario for the home team that was completely baffled by a true freshman's first collegiate start. Freshman starting pitcher Avery Williamson was stellar in his college debut today, allowing just three runs on two hits, four walks, and a pair of strikeouts to earn the win and propel the Warriors to their first win on the season. Relief pitcher Kyle Blohm entered to escape a bases-loaded scenario and save Williamson from any further damage, while freshman relief pitcher Kolbe McAfee allowed four runs off three hits but managed to shut the door in the bottom of the seventh to help seal a Corban victory.
Owens and junior third baseman Ryan Clay each sliced a pair of hits and secured two RBI in a six-run margin of victory for the Navy and Gold, while Owens crossed the plate on three separate occasions to lead all players in runs scored. Mertlich led all players with three RBI and scored a pair of runs, while Gutierrez added a pair of RBI himself.
Oaks' starting pitcher Aidan Culligan was knocked around for the first seven runs to cross the plate for Corban, allowing six hits and a walk to eventually take the loss in 2.2 innings of action. Relief pitchers Jake Warkentien, Jaden Fulsher, and DJ Scott combined for the final 4.1 innings and allowed a grand total of five unearned runs, three hits, four walks, and five strikeouts.
The Menlo offense spread out all six of their team hits across six different players, led by Fulsher and his three-run homer to earn three RBI in a single swing. Catcher Christian Luevano kicked off the scoring for the Oaks with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, but would stand to be his only base knock of the contest.
The Warriors will make the trip back to Oregon before turning around and heading right back down over the southern border, as they'll travel to Lancaster, California to play in a four-game series with the University of Antelope Valley, beginning next Friday at 11am and 2pm.
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