REDDING, Calif. – A back-and-forth opener that eventually fell against the Corban University Baseball team's way set the stage for a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Simpson University, as the Warriors offense grew cold as the day progressed after jumping out to multiple leads in a 9-8 extra-inning loss, followed by a 5-1 loss in the nightcap contest.
"Really thought we came to compete in game one," explained Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris earlier today. "I was proud of our guys' efforts, couple of things just didn't go our way in a very emotional back-and-forth battle and unfortunately couldn't rebound. In game two, our pitchers did a fantastic job of competing, our offense was just silenced by a great start from Simpson's starter. He changed speeds, located well, kept us off balance. We have an opportunity to get back in the win column tomorrow."
Game 1 – Simpson 9. Corban 8 (10 Innings)
A pair of first inning runs followed by a second inning scoring play by the Warriors (1-7) provided them with the first of three short-lived leads in their series opener against the Red Hawks (3-7), as the hosts jumped on the scoreboard with a four-inning grand slam to take a one-run advantage.
In the top of the seventh, senior centerfielder Chase Elliott belted a lead-off solo homer to knot the contest up at four runs apiece, with three more runs eventually coming across to score for a 7-4 Corban lead. However, three runs for Simpson in the bottom of the eighth led to a 7-7 ballgame in the top of the ninth, which the Warriors were able to pick up on a sacrifice fly by redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee.
Despite the ninth-inning deficit, the Red Hawks forced extra frames with a one-out RBI single and would go on to earn the walkoff in the bottom of the tenth after Corban failed to score with the bases loaded in their own offensive half of the inning.
Hit-by-pitches plagued the Navy and Gold defensively on the mound in game one, as they allowed nine baserunners to reach after being plunked in the batter's box, including the walkoff winner. Senior starting pitcher Robert Hayes Jr. went 3.2 innings of action with three earned runs allowed off four hits, while the Corban bullpen conceded another six runs off nine hits with a combined six strikeouts overall.
Simpson relief pitcher Nathan Palacioz eventually picked up the win following a scoreless top of the tenth inning despite allowing the bases to load, representing the only pitcher in game one across both teams to not allow a run to cross home plate. The Red Hawk arms picked up eight Warrior strikeouts and scattered 14 hits across their 10.0 innings.
Both Elliott and senior first baseman Peyton Rickard had three hits apiece at the plate in game one, with Elliott scoring a pair of runs and driving in two more in a near hit-for-the-cycle contest where he fell a single shy of the cycle with a home run, triple, and double all recorded. Junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich, senior shortstop Isaac Bateman, and junior second baseman Colin McNeill all picked up multi-hit performances as well.
Two-thirds of the Simpson offense came off the bat of shortstop Eric Mora, who was responsible for the fourth inning grand slam and eventually finish game one with three hits, six RBI, and two runs scored, with his hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth sealing the victory for Simpson.
Game 2 – Simpson 5, Corban 1
The Navy and Gold spread out eight hits in game two that matched the Red Hawks' output, yet four defensive miscues that resulted in four unearned runs proved to be the difference in an otherwise even game on the mound. Warriors' redshirt senior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen went 4.0 innings on the mound and allowed just one earned run yet accepted the losing decision after striking out three Simpson hitters.
A masterful 7.0 innings from Red Hawks' starting pitcher Daniel Aceto provided the hosts with the doubleheader sweep, as he allowed just five base runners to reach safely while keeping the Warrior offense at bay after seeing them put up eight runs in the game prior. Relief pitcher Qorey Houston allowed the lone Corban run in the top of the ninth inning and spread out another four hits in 2.0 innings.
Rickard and redshirt sophomore rightfielder Sean Shaffer each collected two hits apiece in game two, with the lone RBI coming off the bat of junior leftfielder Matthew Zariello that scored Rickard. Simpson rightfielder Bo Valladao and catcher Cesar Ortega each secured two hits, with Valladao outscoring the Dubs on his own with a pair of runs scored.
Games three and four are on the docket tomorrow for the Warriors and Red Hawks, with 11am/2pm start times set in northern California.
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