KEIZER, Ore. – After dropping their doubleheader home opener yesterday to Warner Pacific University, the Corban University Baseball team responded to the adversity with poise today back at Roto-Rooter Park to take the three-game series finale in dominant fashion by earning a 10-2 victory where both the offensive and defensive units shined.
"The guys punched back today," explained Corban head coach Ryan Harris following their first win of 2026. "We played great baseball all around today. Winning is a great feeling but earning it by working as hard as they did today feels a whole lot better."
Scoring just eight runs across 18 innings in yesterday's doubleheader put the Warriors' (1-5) offense on dire need of a redemption contest this afternoon, where they immediately responded with a four-run first inning that was highlighted by a solo bomb from junior second baseman Colin McNeill.
Warner Pac (2-1) earned a run back in the top of the second and again in the top of the fifth, but thanks to their senior leadership at the plate and on the mound, continued to score runs while holding the Knights scoreless for the remainder of today's single game matchup. Another five Corban runs would come around to score over the final five frames, three of which crossed home plate unearned with Warner Pacific committing four fielding errors.
A 4.0 inning start from junior Brayd Sprague provided the Navy and Gold with the opening support they needed to build and maintain a lead, as he allowed just a single run off five hits and three walks while striking out a trio of Knights. Redshirt junior reliever Jamie Hogarth earned the win with 2.0 innings of relief, allowing the only other run of the game while redshirt junior Eddie Gould and senior Jackson Young tossed 2.0 and 1.0 scoreless innings, respectively.
Warner Pac starting pitcher Brooks Frere was charged with the loss after surrendering five runs off five hits and two walks before giving way to the Knights' bullpen that allowed another five runs and ten hits.
The Dubs' offense was powered by senior shortstop Isaac Bateman from the cleanup position in Harris' lineup, as he finished today's contest 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and runs scored. Senior centerfielder Chase Elliott, junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich, and senior catcher Knox Hubbard all secured two hits apiece, with Mertlich picking up a game-high three RBI and scoring two runs himself. Redshirt sophomore rightfielder Sean Shaffer scored three runs to lead all players.
Multi-hit performances from rightfielder Mason Deverna and third baseman Trent Lowe paced the Warner Pac lineup, while centerfielder Mitchell Thoma-Britt was solely responsible for half of the WPU runs scored with a solo shot of his own.
Corban baseball kicks off a two-week road trip next weekend in northern California, as they'll play out a four-game non-conference series at Simpson University (1-3) beginning on Friday, February 6th with a 1/4pm doubleheader.
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