GLENDALE, Ariz. – The tying run stepped to the plate in the top of the ninth inning after trailing by as many as six runs over the course of their second matchup of the 2026 season, but the Corban University Baseball program was unable to keep the rally alive, eventually falling 11-8 at No. 15-ranked Arizona Christian University's brand new on-campus facility.
"Incredible effort by our guys tonight, very proud of the adjustments they made collectively after yesterday," detailed Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris. "Bo pitched very well and kept us in the game. Our offense made great adjustments in the box and gave us a chance in the end."
Unlike in their season opener against a No. 9-ranked Taylor University program, the Warriors (0-2) opened today's contest against the No. 15-ranked Firestorm (2-0) by jumping on the scoreboard first, as senior shortstop Isaac Bateman singled home senior centerfielder Chase Elliott after Elliott singled to start the game, promptly stole second base, then moved around to score on Bateman's base hit. However, ACU would go on to score three runs in the bottom of the second to flip the momentum in their favor.
A two-run top of the third knotted the contest back up at 3-all, as Bateman collected his second RBI of the game on a groundout to second, while senior first baseman Peyton Rickard tied the game after beating out a short-hopped throw to first while another run crossed home plate. ACU once again took the lead in their very next offensive half inning, with their leading stretching up to six runs to enter the top of the ninth leading 11-5.
As he had already been doing all game, Bateman kicked off the ninth-inning rally with an RBI double to deep left field to plate junior catcher Kaden Bruns, followed by an RBI single to center for junior second baseman Colin McNeill that put the Navy and Gold within four runs. A first-and-third situation for Rickard allowed a run to score as he grounded into a double play, but Corban would bring the tying run to the plate as the Firestorm bullpen nearly blew a six-run lead. Arizona Christian picked up a strikeout to end the game and hand Corban a second loss in their opening week trip.
Senior starting pitcher Robert Hayes Jr. accepted the loss in today's matchup after going 4.1 innings and allowing seven earned runs off seven hits, picking up six strikeouts along the way and just walking one batter, but hitting four in total. Senior reliever Jackson Young and redshirt junior reliever Eddie Gould combined for the remaining 3.2 innings on the mound, yielding another three runs, six hits, two walks, and four hit batsmen.
A 5.2 frame start for Firestorm southpaw Casey Farrell allowed the nationally ranked hosts to edge the Warriors in only the second game played on their new turf field, as he allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out eight Corban hitters. ACU needed five arms out of the bullpen to escape with a victory, as the final three relievers combined for to allow four runs on eight hits as well.
Six different Warriors picked up multi-hit outings today after just one managed to yesterday, once again led by Elliott and his three hits and three runs scored combined with another two bags stolen. Bateman tallied a team-best three RBI alongside two hits and a run scored, while junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich, redshirt sophomore rightfielder Sean Shaffer, and redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee all joined Bateman with two hits apiece.
Only four Arizona Christian hitters secured at least two hits again the Navy and Gold pitching staff, with designated hitter Joey Genduso leading the charge from the eight-hole with a 4-for-5 performance that equated to a game-high five RBI and two runs scored. Leftfielder Kolten Lindstrom tacked on two more hits and tied Elliott for the game-high run tally with three of his own.
One final road test for the Corban baseball program awaits them tomorrow morning in Mesa, Arizona, as the Warriors will battle Benedictine University Mesa (1-0) at Mesa High School starting at 10am AT/9am PT.
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