KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The offenses came to play today for both the Corban University Baseball team and their opposition from Klamath Falls, as the Warriors hot start allowed them to complete a game one victory against Oregon Tech before the Hustlin' Owls rallied using their own firepower at the plate to claim an 11-8 victory in the doubleheader finale.
"The offense got off to a fast start today," explained Corban head coach Ryan Harris. "Scoring five runs in the first third of the game alongside a great start from Jack was just what we needed. Isaac's late game homer shut down their momentum, and great relief appearances to shut the door for a game one win. Game two we got out to a fast start again, but unfortunately OIT put up some crooked numbers in the late innings. We ended up pushing and getting the lead back, but Tech came back themselves and made things difficult for us. Nevertheless, an opportunity to win a series tomorrow!"
Game 1 | Corban 6, Oregon Tech 4
Just three games back of Tech (20-20, 13-15) in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) standings entering a massive weekend for both programs vying for a spot in the 2026 postseason, the Warriors (14-26, 10-18) picked up a crucial game one win behind a quality start from their ace combined with upperclassmen leadership at the plate and on the basepaths. The Dubs five runs across the first three innings via a sacrifice fly, a pair of RBI doubles, and a fielder's choice capped off by an RBI single from junior second baseman Colin McNeill.
Senior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen broke his winless streak with 5.2 innings of three-run ball, walking just two batters and allowing eight hits while hit offense helped him out with six runs of support. He was supported by shutout relief appearances by redshirt junior Eddie Gould (1.1 innings) and freshman Cole Thomas (1.0 innings).
A solo bomb from senior shortstop Isaac Bateman in the top of the seventh was all the remaining runs the Warriors needed to clinch the victory in the opener, as the Owls pulled to within two runs in their last ditch effort, but senior first baseman Peyton Rickard took to the mound and slammed the door for the final outs of the ballgame and simultaneously pick up his third save of the season.
Bateman led three Warriors in multi-hit outings and was one of two that secured multiple base knocks in both contests, as he was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI while drawing a walk. Rickard finished with two base hits, an RBI and a run scored, while junior leftfielder Lucas Mertlich repeated Rickard's success along with two walks drawn.
Oregon Tech's ace Landon Cheney was tagged for five earned runs off nine hits in 5.0 innings of work, striking out three batters but walking another three as well. Righthander Crew Howell was nearly perfect through 4.0 innings of relief before Bateman broke up his bullpen shutout with his solo shot to centerfield.
Game 2 | Oregon Tech 11, Corban 8
Four lead changes highlighted the day one finale at Steen Sports Park, as the Warriors once again jumped out to an early lead but saw their advantage evaporate not once, but twice after the Owls finally managed some consistent offense on their home field. 5-1 and 8-7 leads were squandered by the Corban bullpen, who allowed a combined 10 earned runs after sophomore starting pitcher Brady Sprague surrendered just one off two hits in 4.2 frames.
The Navy and Gold offense continued their success from the opener with eight more runs in game two, led by a trio of seniors represented by Bateman (2-for-4, one RBI, one run scored), Rickard (3-for-5, one run scored), and centerfielder Chase Elliott (2-for-4, one run scored). The Dubs' RBI leader was senior pinch hitter Ethan Ammerman who batted home two runs in his only opportunity.
While starting pitcher Carson Glavich tossed 7.0 frames and appeared in line to receive the victory despite allowing five earned runs off nine hits, relief pitcher Caleb Randolph surrendered the lead, which eventually led to a winning decision for reliever Marcos Ulloa-Ford who only allowed one base runner over 1.1 innings. The game-winning double came off the bat of pinch hitter Logan Pontecorvo, while catcher Nik Halouchits was 3-for-4 and tallied an RBI.
Both the Warriors and Hustlin' Owls will pray for clear skies tomorrow as they attempt to close out their four-game set in the Klamath Basin, as they're scheduled to begin at 11am with the final CCC contest alongside a 2pm non-conference game after their home-and-home series were swapped earlier this season.
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