KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball team (9-34, 4-16) and The College of Idaho Yotes (15-31, 6-14) matched up for the final time at Volcanoes Stadium for the 2024 season. With a brisk, beautiful morning and celebration on the horizon for the Navy and Gold, the Yotes made sure to capture early leads in route to winning both games on Saturday. Having never trailed in any games of the Cascade Conference series, College of Idaho used a strong mix of pitching and timely hitting to win 6-1 and 9-1, respectively.
"Obviously not the results that we wanted this weekend, but I do believe in some aspects both as a team and as a coaching staff that we were able to make today special for our seniors," shared Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris. "That's what ultimately matters. At the end of the day what matters is that we build quality men in this program. Today, I believe we honored them well."
Game 1 – CI 6, Corban 1
Junior third baseman Jordan Kelly had himself an afternoon starting in game one of today's doubleheader. Opening the first inning with a double that brought in the opening run of the game. Junior second baseman Jack Ingraham later drove in Kelly, giving the Yotes a 2-0 lead after one inning.
Solid pitching on both sides led to three scoreless innings before College of Idaho broke the streak. Sophomore catcher Matthew Iwamizu singled to bring in two runs to double the lead, 4-0.
Senior shortstop Aidan Bunn took advantage of freshman pinch runner Joshua Tillet getting caught in a rundown to score the Warriors first run of the game in the 6th. That was all the Warriors could muster in game one, however.
The Yotes would manage to push across two more runs to stretch the lead to 6-1, which would be the final score of game one. Sophomore starting pitcher Dawson Cummins had himself a day on the mound, going nine full innings, striking out eight batters and only giving up four hits.
Senior centerfielder Brad Pellkofer continued to be a problem for opposing teams despite the loss. Pellkofer managed to go 2-for-3 with a walk.
Game 2 – CI 9, Corban 1
Prior to game two in the afternoon the Warriors celebrated 12 decorated members of the program. Coach Ryan Harris made it a point to get all of them action in the final game of the series, whether that was in the starting lineup or relief, he accomplished the task of giving them one last opportunity to play in front of the Warrior faithful.
Jordan Kelly once again quickly quieted the Corban crowd with his opening home run over the left field fence in the first inning.
Junior center fielder Bryan Ebe came up in the top of the second and belted a two-run home run over the left field fence as well, stretching the Yote lead to three.
After adding a run in the third inning, College of Idaho brought Kelly back up to the plate in the fifth, Kelly proceeded to hit his second home run of the game off the scoreboard in left centerfield. Sophomore first baseman Darren Smith followed up Kelly with his own shot to left field, stretching the lead to 6-0.
Senior designated hitter Hayden Wilson reached first base via an error, which allowed senior second baseman Brady Majewski to score, giving the Warriors a much-needed run. However, the inning ended without more damage occurring to the Yotes' lead.
The Yotes would go on to add three runs in the eighth and ninth innings to win the game 9 to 1. An impressive outing by Junior Olive Massie of the Yotes really secured the four-game sweep for the Yotes. Massie gave up one hit over five innings while striking out six. Sophomore relief pitcher Jackson Cummins went on to give up one run over the next four innings to secure the win for the Yotes.
The Warriors will finish off the regular season on the road at Klamath Falls for a four-game series against Oregon Tech. The first game will take place on Saturday, April 27th at 12pm.
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