KEIZER, Ore. – Following a midweek blowout to NCAA Division Three Lewis & Clark College, Corban (7-25, 2-8) bounced back to earn a day one conference split against Eastern Oregon (12-25, 3-11). Loud Warrior bats were the theme of game one, leading to a 16-3 win in the afternoon matinee. While the crowd may have expected an offensive game two, the Mounties put on a defensive clinic to secure the second game victory.
"Great competitive baseball games today," shared Warriors head coach Ryan Harris following their Friday split. "Great pitching performances from Avery and Aidan and our bullpen coming in closing the back end of the games. Game one, our offense came alive, which I loved to see."
Coach Harris continued with his analysis of today's contests by stating, "Game two, their pitchers did a great job keeping us off balance. We had some great opportunities to tie things up or take the lead. I thought we pressed on the bases too much and ran ourselves out of those opportunities." Coach Harris finished by saying, "New opportunities tomorrow to go out and win a series."
GAME 1 – Corban 16, EOU 3 (7 Innings)
Corban opened the scoring in the second inning with small ball, ultimately capitalizing on an error to bring in the first run of the game. A sacrifice fly by redshirt sophomore catcher Joshua Miyazawa brought in run number two. After the error lead to Corban getting a runner on 3rd base, a wild pitch brought in the third run of the inning.
Junior outfielder Nate Gutierrez had an impact on the second inning by getting on base and causing havoc on the basepath, but in the 3rd inning he hit a soft ground ball that allowed a run to score on the out. Senior outfielder Brad Pellkofer was not to be outdone, blasting a three-run homerun over the right field fence to stretch the lead to seven to nothing in the fourth inning. Gutierrez would not stay quiet, hitting a two RBI single to make it 9-0.
Following a hit parade by the Warriors, the Mounties allowed the lead to grow through self-inflicted wounds. An error and wild pitch allowed the Navy and Gold to score two runs and make it an 11-0 game midway through five innings. While the pitching staff was reeling, senior Nainoa Ka'ahanui doubled to left center to bring in one run and set up Gutierrez with two runners on base. With the runners in scoring position, Gutierrez doubled to right field clearing the bases and making the lead grow to 14-0. Corban would go on and tack on another two runs in the fifth to make it 16-0 after five.
Eastern Oregon would go on to score three runs in the following two innings, but it was too little too late in the afternoon session. The Mounties were only able to muster five hits on 24 plate appearances.
Freshman starting pitcher Avery Williamson was as dominant as the bats in game one of the series. Williamson went six strong innings allowing only five hits while striking out four. The strong outing allowed the bats to create and maintain a lead throughout the game.
GAME 2 – EOU 3, Corban 2
Game two of the doubleheader was completely different tempo. Pitching and defense ruled the evening session, with Eastern Oregon ultimately pulling out the victory.
After four scoreless innings the Mounties finally hung a crooked number on the board with an RBI double by Junior infielder Trevor Baker. Senior shortstop Youhyeon Choi increased the lead with a triple to left field to make it 2-0 EOU in the fifth. Choi was then able to score off a passed ball to stretch the lead to 3-0 after five innings.
The Warrior offense responded in the bottom of the fifth inning when sophomore second baseman Brady Majewski doubled to bring in junior pinch runner Fran Gross, making it a 3-1 deficit. Senior third baseman Ryan Clay continued the momentum with a double as well, bringing home Majewski and cutting the Mountie lead to one at 3-2.
However, the Warriors offense was maligned with base-running mistakes in game two. The Navy and Gold were either picked off or doubled up four times throughout the game, including two successful pick off attempts by Eastern Oregon at second base. Those crucial mistakes were ultimately the difference against the dominant pitching of Junior Will Seslar.
The Warriors will look to take the series tomorrow against Eastern Oregon on Saturday at Volcanoes Stadium. The first game of the conference doubleheader will start at 11am.
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