EUGENE, Ore. – Down to their final two outs and trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Corban University Baseball team rallied in unprecedented fashion to stun their I-5 rivals from Bushnell University, as they scored five runs to force extra innings and eventually walked off in the bottom of the tenth within the confines of the Beacons' home stadium for a 7-6 victory in today's doubleheader opener. In the weekend finale, Bushnell utilized a six-run top of the second to clinch the series win, 12-2 in seven innings.

"I'm very happy for our guys to have that winning moment against a rival opponent," expressed head coach Ryan Harris. "I'm proud of the effort and the resolve they had to compete to the finish. Looking forward to building off the positive momentum for next series."

Game 1 | Corban 7, Bushnell 6 (10 Innings)

Following their day one losses to the Beacons (18-16, 10-11), the Warriors (12-22, 8-14) entered today's matchups riding a nine-game losing skid right in the middle of their 20-game road trip, needing to find some consistency at the plate and on the mound if they wanted to earn a series split with their interstate rivals. Though they were able to break through first in the bottom of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead, the Beacons scored six-straight runs over the next four frames to lead 6-1 entering the final inning.

After a leadoff groundout to start the bottom of the ninth, junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich hammered the first pitch he saw for an opposite field homer that cut the Bushnell lead to four runs, which would start a streak of four-straight Warriors to reach base, the final of which knotted the contest at 6-all as junior second baseman Colin McNeill blasted a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence for a three-run game-tying homer.

While the Beacs were able to escape the bottom of the ninth without any further damage, they went down in order to kick off the tenth inning and in turn, set the Navy and Gold up for a potential walk-off scenario serving as the home team this weekend on Bushnell's home field. Without missing a beat, senior centerfielder Chase Elliott led off the inning with a single to left field, promptly stole second base, then scored the game-winning run after senior first baseman Peyton Rickard drove the third pitch he saw to the wall in right centerfield. Rickard embraced his teammates at first base as Elliott crossed home plate without a throw for the Warriors' first walk-off win of the season.

The best pitching performance of the season for Corban sophomore reliever John Brabb earned him the first victory to his record on the year, as he tossed 3.0 innings of four-hit ball and struck out three Beacons along the way. At the plate, McNeill needed just one swing to lead the field with three RBI, while redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee recorded two RBI off one hit and a run scored. Mertlich scored two runs for the Warriors in the only multi-hit performance of game one today at Hamlin Sports Park.

The lone offensive threat of the opener for Bushnell was represented by leftfielder Albert Jennings, who finished 4-for-6 with three RBI. Nine more Beacons picked up base hits but were nearly all stranded in a game where Bushnell left 12 runners on base. Relief pitcher Micah English was charged with his first loss of the season after relievers Tyler Biddinger and Mason Koontz blew the potential save and win for starter Austin Wolfe who was untouchable for 7.0 frames via six strikeouts.

Game 2 | Bushnell 12, Corban 2 (7 Innings)

A turning point in the series was put to rest following a six-run second frame for the Beacs, all of which crossed home plate earned as senior starting pitcher Isaac Bateman was only able to toss 2.0 innings in his game four start that resulted in his fourth loss of the year. Redshirt junior reliever Jamie Hogarth was the lone pitcher out of the bullpen that didn't allow a run to be scored in his two outs earned.

Klee continued his success from game one of today's doubleheader with a 3-for-3 outing in game two, while Mertlich went yard for a second-straight contest and now leads the Warriors with four longballs on the season. Senior designated hitter Nathaniel Gutierrez was the only other member of the Navy and Gold to record a base hit in their final matchup with Bushnell.

Three different Beacons collected three hits apiece, while another two finished with two base knocks. Centerfielder Caleb Richter, designated hitter Nate Stevens, and third baseman Mana Heffernan all scored two runs apiece and Jennings plated another two runs. Bushnell recorded seven extra-base hits in the series finale to provide starter DJ Kauahi with his second win of the year.

The Dubs continue their five-week road trip next weekend across the Oregon-Idaho border, as they'll meet with The College of Idaho (20-11, 11-9) beginning on Friday at 1/4pm MT, 12/3pm PT.

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