KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Amidst a program-tying 11-game winning streak, the host Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech ran rampant over the Corban University Baseball team in their first of two doubleheaders this Easter weekend, securing 14-3 and 15-5 run-rule shortened victories at Steen Sports Park.
"Both games got out of hand quickly today, but in game two I thought the effort we put in on offense was really good," stated Corban head coach Ryan Harris. "There were a couple moments that I thought we tried too hard to make things happen inorganically. However, I appreciate the mentality of putting everything on the line than to not. Avery also pitched well today, the mentality and effort he showed was great. We flush today's results and give everything we got for each other tomorrow."
Game 1 – Oregon Tech 14, Corban 3 (7 Innings)
Scoring the first 14 runs of the series' opener were the Hustlin' Owls (31-11, 22-9) who kicked off their third-straight weekend at home after switching home-away series with the Warriors (12-32, 7-24) earlier this season when the winter weather forced OIT to play out a 24-game road trip to start their year. Corban scored the final three runs of the ballgame to avoid the shutout, but the substantial Tech lead resulted in the seven-inning completion.
Senior starting pitcher Sam Greenhalgh lasted 2.1 frames before giving way to the bullpen after allowing the first 11 runs on nine hits and eight walks while striking out a pair of Owls. Graduate student reliever Tanner Boe tossed the next 2.2 innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks, while junior relief pitcher Robert Hays Jr. pitched a shutout bottom of the sixth.
Oregon Tech starter Tim Williams picked up his sixth win of the year after going 6.0 innings and allowing a single run off four hits while striking out six Warriors, with reliever Jalen Jagdeo pitching the top of the seventh to the tune of two earned runs off three hits while striking out two hitters.
Sophomore designated hitter Lucas Mertlich and senior rightfielder Noah Owens each finished 2-for-3 to lead the Corban offense, while junior centerfielder Chase Elliott, junior shortstop Isaac Bateman, and redshirt junior catcher Joshua Miyazawa all picked up a single base hit apiece.
A perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored from first baseman Matthew Ortiz powered Tech to the game one victory, with shortstop Patrick Berry and catcher Tyler Horner picking two hits apiece from the top two spots of the OIT lineup.
Game 2 – Oregon Tech 15, Corban 5 (7 Innings)
Scoring the opening run of game two didn't seem to have a long-term effect on the scoreboard for the Warriors in game two, as Oregon Tech rattled off eight runs in the bottom of the first and eventually stretched their lead to 12-1 before Corban broke their scoring skid in the fourth with a pair of runs. They added two more in the fifth, but a three-run bottom of the fourth prior gave the Owls the ten-run limit they needed for another run-rule victory.
Game two junior starting pitcher Jackson Young was tagged for all eight in the first inning off six hits and three walks, with sophomore reliever Avery Williamson pitching the final 5.0 innings and being charged with three earned runs on five hits, four walks, and a pair of strikeouts.
OIT starter Landon Cheney was responsible for all five of the Corban runs on the team's 12 hits that outpaced the Tech offense yet picked up the win with three strikeouts along the way in 5.0 frames of action. Relief pitcher Drake Aboud tossed 2.0 innings of relief with four free passes and a trio of punchouts.
Miyazawa and senior third baseman Ryan Clay teed off in game two with 3-for-5 appearances offensively, while Mertlich picked up two more base hits to hit season totals. Bateman didn't register a hit, yet still managed to knock home two of the team's four RBI.
Barry and Horner were just as effective in the nightcap contest for Oregon Tech, as they registered identical stat lines of two hits, three RBI, and two runs scored. Centerfielder Dane Bradshaw matched the top of the OIT lineup with three RBI and two hits as well while scoring a game-high three runs.
The Warriors and Owls will return to Steen Sports Park tomorrow morning for games three and four of their weekend series, with first pitch scheduled for 11am.
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