LINCOLN, Calif. – The Corban University Baseball team concluded their third-straight week playing on the road in various locations throughout the state of California to open the 2024 regular season, wrapping up their 11-game road trip with a 19-18 nail-biting loss in game one before dropping a 17-4 decision to end their four-game series at the hands of Jessup University earlier today.
"It was a hard fought battle in game one," Corban head coach Ryan Harris said earlier this evening. "The effort and tenacity our offense demonstrated was incredible to watch. Jessup is a good team with good depth on the mound and an offense that has an identity, and they stuck with it to the bitter end."
Coach Harris continued with his game two analysis by sharing, "Game two, we came out with the same mentality, just ran out of the will to continue to fight after taking an early lead. I've asked a lot out of these guys since they've came back from break. Three trips to Cali by train, bus and airplanes is a lot to ask to open a season. The great news is that we're figuring it out and our newly renovated home field will be ready for us to at least practice on here soon. Better preparation on top of the amount of adversity we've been through. I believe the best is yet to come. Can't beat ourselves down, just have to continue to move forward."
GAME 1 – Jessup 19, Corban 18
With Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, the two Warrior squads decided to pay homage to one of the most nationally televised events of the year with a football score in game one of Saturday's doubleheader and third in the four-game series. Before the halfway point was even reached, 18 combined runs had already crossed the plate in what would eventually end with a 19-18 final score that featured 11 separate home runs.
A contest featuring three lead changes and three ties with runs scored in every single inning finally fell in favor of the home team, with both programs overcoming huge deficits to give each of their conferences a look into what their offenses are capable of this season. After falling behind 5-0 through two innings, Corban flipped the scoreboard in a nine-run third inning to take a 9-5 lead that would eventually be tied at 10-all after a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning by Jessup.
In the bottom of the seventh frame, the host Warriors blasted a pair of three-run homers to turn their three-run shortfall into a three-run lead, requiring the Navy and Gold to once again find the offense if they wanted to snap their non-conference losing streak. Despite a pair of solo home runs by Corban senior centerfielder Brad Pellkofer, the magic had finally died out in a marathon of an opener.
Both Warrior teams sent a handful of pitchers to the mound today in a rough contest for defensive players, with Corban senior righthander Giovanni Cervantes eventually taking the loss after allowing the final two runs that Jessup need to win the game on three hits, a walk, and a strikeout.
JU's relief pitcher Xavier Maldonado picked up the win to improve to 2-0 on the year after being the last Jessup pitcher to have tossed an inning before they took their final lead of the game despite allowing two runs on three hits. Closer Kevin Gutierrez secured the unlikely save scenario in a 37-run game with one hit and one run allowed in a single inning.
Pellkofer and graduate student first baseman Nainoa Ka'ahanui each pelted homers in their wild game one loss, tallying three and four RBI with four and three runs scored, respectively, while redshirt sophomore catcher Joshua Miyazawa added three hits and two RBI. Every single Warrior to take to the plate today earned at least one hit in the high-scoring affair.
Four-hit performances by Jessup centerfielder Quinton Hall and third baseman Connor Culp powered Jessup to their third win in two days, with Culp knocking in a game-high six RBI in his six at-bats.
GAME 2 – Jessup 17, Corban 4 (7 Innings)
Early runs crossing the plate has been the recent theme for the Navy and Gold as they continue to play on the road, with Corban scoring the first four runs of the series finale before Jessup roared back with seventeen unanswered runs across the fourth and fifth innings, including three home runs in a six at-bat span.
True freshman starting pitcher Avery Williamson accepted his second-straight loss result after allowing seven runs on six hits and walking five batters while striking out three. Relief pitchers Joe Licari, Kyle Blohm, and Gabriel Prater combined for the final ten runs, seven hits, and four walks issued by the Corban bullpen.
Jessup starting pitcher Trevor Arntson picked up his first win of the year after allowing four runs on six hits with a trio of walks and punchouts, while relief pitchers Preston Brook and JJ Coates tossed 3.0 combined innings of scoreless baseball with only two base hits allowed on their watch.
Pellkofer and Ka'ahanui continued their hot streaks with two more hits apiece in game two today, with Pellkofer adding two more RBI and two runs scored to his senior year resume.
The Corban baseball program will finally play out the remainder of their non-conference contests in the state of Oregon to conclude the month of February, with three games scheduled against NCAA DIII Pacific University in Forest Grove over next Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm on both days.
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