PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Corban University Baseball program kicked off their 2026 regular season today in the Coach Calderone Invitational down in sunny Arizona, where they dropped a 7-inning contest to No. 9-ranked Taylor University 14-0 after keeping within striking distance through each starting pitchers' efforts but couldn't muster the offensive firepower needed to outlast the Trojans' dynamic pitching staff.
"Through five innings we were playing great baseball, as Jack pitched very well and kept Taylor's offense off balance while also playing great defense," Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris explained following their season opener. "I thought we had some really good opportunities early in the game to score, just came up short."
Redshirt senior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen made his Warrior debut and kept the Warriors (0-1) in this matchup for his 4.0 innings of work before the move to the bullpen, where the three relief pitchers sent out by Harris and his staff were charged with 12 earned runs in 3.0 innings of support. Kovanen was responsible for just two runs, only one of which was earned, off four hits and three walks.
In the other dugout, the Trojans (1-0) earned a quality start from Brody Fine, who went 5.0 frames of scoreless baseball, allowing five of the six Corban hits while walking none and striking out six Warriors. Relief pitchers Jake Boyer and Luke Klunke each tossed an inning out of the bullpen to secure the run-rule victory in seven frames.
Corban centerfielder and leadoff hitter Chase Elliott kicked off his senior year campaign with a 2-for-4 offensive performance along with a pair of stolen bases, representing the only Warrior with multiple hits in their season opener. Senior shortstop Isaac Bateman, junior second baseman Colin McNeill, senior first baseman Peyton Rickard, and junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich all tallied a single base hit apiece from the second through five holes of the Navy and Gold lineup.
Five different Trojans secured multi-hit outings at the plate in their own season opener, led by leftfielder Brayden Manning who finished 3-for-5 with a game-high five RBI and two runs scored. Catcher Jace Schrock needed just one hit, a three-run homer, to tally his three RBI and a run scored from the nine-hole.
The 2026 season opening weekend continues tomorrow in Glendale for the Warriors, as they'll face yet another nationally ranked foe in No. 15-ranked Arizona Christian University (0-0) on the Firestorms' brand new home facility. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm AT/6pm PT.
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