KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball program hosted their home opener doubleheader today at Roto-Rooter Park, where the Warriors dropped an 8-1 and 8-7 pair of decisions to Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) foe Warner Pacific University in a pair of non-conference matchups after the Knights jumped out to early leads that the Navy and Gold were unable to rebound from over the course of the 18 innings played out in the rare January sunshine of the Pacific Northwest.
"Got punched early in game one today and just couldn't get anything started offensively," explained Corban head coach Ryan Harris. "Moving forward, we must limit the big inning and find ways to punch back ourselves. We have a great opportunity to do just that tomorrow."
Game 1 – Warner Pac 8, Corban 1
While both the Warriors (0-5) and Knights (2-0) wrapped up today's opener with the same number of hits, Warner Pac was able to string their hits together when it mattered most, as they tallied eight runs compared to just the lone ninth-inning run for Corban with just one out remaining. A five-run top of the second was all the damage the Knights needed to take the game one result, as an early fielding error by the Dubs elongated the frame to allow Warner Pacific to bat around in their lineup.
Corban senior starting pitcher Robert Hayes Jr. was unable to escape a five-run second inning where he surrendered two hits and allowed six free bases on four walks and two hit-by-pitches. He did manage to strike out a pair of Knights, with senior relievers Joshua Pedronan and Tanner Martinez striking out three batters apiece as well. Pedronan allowed three runs off four hits and a walk in 4.1 innings pitched, while Martinez kept Warner Pac at bay without allowing a single base runner in the final 3.0 frames.
A complete game shutout was nearly in store for Knights' starting pitcher Ayden Yaeger, who lost the shutout on with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but eventually secured the win in Warner Pac's opener behind six hits, three strikeouts, and three free passes, needing only 97 pitches to do so.
Both offenses spread out six hits from six different batters, with Warriors' junior third baseman Baron Delameter collecting the lone RBI and redshirt sophomore shortstop Kellen Desbiens scoring the only run of the contest for Corban. Warner Pac shortstop Connor Hale led all players with three RBI and two strikeouts at the dish.
Game 2 – Warner Pac 8, Corban 7
Opposed to in game one, the Navy and Gold fell behind 7-0 in game two but rallied to close the gap over the back half of game two that was kickstarted by a bases clearing triple by senior centerfielder Chase Elliott in the bottom of the fifth inning. Elliott would then score on the next at-bat to cut the Corban deficit to three runs.
Warner Pac earned a run back in the top of the sixth, but a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh for the Warriors set them up for a come-from-behind scenario in the bottom of the ninth, needing two runs to send the game to extra innings. With the tying run stealing third base as the final pitch was tossed, Knights' closer Nate Van Dooren closed the door with a punchout to lock up the series win regardless of tomorrow's game three result.
Redshirt junior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen was charged with the game two loss after allowing six runs, only two of which were earned, off eight hits and a strikeout, while senior relief pitcher Casey Henderson and redshirt sophomore reliever Jesse Stewart were each tagged for a single earned run in their inning plus of work. Redshirt senior relief pitcher Christian Pederson was electric out the pen over the final 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out a pair of Warner Pac hitters.
Another dynamic start for the Warner Pacific defense provided the visiting team with just enough support to pick up the DH sweep, as starter Jaxon Hamada tossed 4.1 innings and allowed four runs off four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. A three-man bullpen limited Corban's offense to three runs over the final 4.2 frames, with Dooren picking up a save in the ninth.
Elliott was the only Warrior with a multi-hit outing today, finishing game two with a pair of hits, four RBI and three runs scored to lead all batters from the leadoff spot of the lineup. Warner Pac saw four different hitters tally multiple hits in the doubleheader finale, led by shortstop Anthony Zisa at 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
The Warriors and Knights will complete their three-game set tomorrow back at Roto-Rooter Park, with first pitch now scheduled for noon as they look to avoid the morning showers.
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