KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball program saw a tale of two starts play out at Roto-Rooter Park this afternoon and into the evening portion of their day one doubleheader with Eastern Oregon University, as the Navy and Gold split their first two Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) matchups of the four-game series behind a 7-3 game one victory and 11-3 game two loss.
"We had a great team win in game one," shared Warriors' head coach Ryan Harris. "Jack pitched great along with Eddie and Peyton out of the pen. The offense put together some very quality innings to help us feel in command. In game two, Eastern Oregon took advantage of mistakes and capitalized on them quickly, while we took far too long to respond offensively. We've got an opportunity in game three tomorrow to take the conference series."
Game 1 | Corban 7, Eastern Oregon 3
While EOU (5-12, 2-6) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second frame of game one, the Dubs (8-12, 5-4) responded with four unanswered runs spanning between the fourth and fifth innings which would prove to be all they needed to earn the win in the CCC opener. Senior catcher Knox Hubbard added an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth for good measure that cemented the 7-3 victory.
Redshirt senior pitcher Jack Kovanen kept the Mountaineers in check throughout his 5.2 innings of work, surrendering just one earned run off six hits, a walk, and three strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen. Redshirt junior relief pitcher Eddie Gould held EOU to two runs on two hits and a pair of strikeouts, while senior first baseman Peyton Rickard took to the mound in the ninth and slammed the door on Eastern Oregon by facing the minimum and striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Mounties' ace Easton Corey is still searching for his first win of the season following a 6.0-inning four-run, four-hit outing where he punched out a game-high nine hitters despite taking the loss. Relievers Jake Lenberger and Nolan Bentley allowed another combined three runs off five hits and two strikeouts.
Rickard provided his team with plenty of support at the plate in addition to his defensive flexibility, as he secured a pair of hits with a game-high three RBI from the No. 3-spot on Harris' lineup card. Senior shortstop Isaac Bateman added two RBI on one base hit, while Hubbard finished with a two-hit performance as well with his redshirt freshman courtesy runner Jaebin Sotelo scoring on two separate occasions.
Only one Mountie secured a multi-hit performance in the series' opener, represented by leftfielder Greyson McDaniel who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored from the cleanup spot. Pinch hitter Jaxon Logsdon used his lone plate appearance to plate a pair of runs for the team-high RBI mark.
Game 2 | Eastern Oregon 11, Corban 3
Game two was all Eastern Oregon from the opening pitch, as shortstop Jace Nagler took Corban sophomore starting pitcher Brady Sprague yard on the first pitch of the contest to set an early precedent and prevent the Navy and Gold from clinching a day one sweep. Sprague was unable to escape a six-run first inning, eventually taking his second loss of the season on his overall record. Senior relief pitcher Tanner Martinez went 5.1 innings of work in a long relief outing where he tolerated another four EOU runs off five hits and four strikeouts. Walks and home runs spelled the pitching staff's downfall in the Friday night matchup, as they allowed a combined seven walks and six homers, which ties the Mountaineers' single-game record.
After starter Jace Schow was pulled after 4.0 innings of shutout baseball, reliever Will Slater was given the win after allowing all three runs that Corban scored in his 2.0 innings of relief. Right-hander Brody Noonan tossed the remaining 3.0 innings and despite wildly hitting three batters and walking another, secured the clean slate against the Warriors.
Senior centerfielder Chase Elliott and redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee each tallied two hits for Corban in game two, with Klee earning one of three RBI for the contest. Senior Nathaniel Gutierrez tallied just one hit but plated two RBI in the process.
The first nine runs to score in today's contest for EOU came off home runs, eventually providing the Mountaineers with a 10-0 lead through five and a half innings before Corban rallied to avoid a run-rule. First baseman Alex Olague and catcher David Soto both smashed a pair of homers, with Olague leading the field with three hits, four RBI, and a pair of runs scored. Soto was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Warriors and Mounties are back at Roto-Rooter Park tomorrow morning for games three and four of their series, with first pitch of their final CCC contest scheduled for 9am while their non-conference matchup will start at approximately 12pm.
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