KEIZER, Ore. – The Corban University Baseball program suffered a slight setback to their 2026 postseason aspirations today with the regular season finale drawing near, as the Warriors split the first doubleheader of their four-game home series with Warner Pacific University by final scores of 10-4 and 5-4 where the Knights claimed victory in game one before the Dubs completed an eighth-inning comeback bid to secure the day one split. Combined with other results across the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) today, the Navy and Gold will need some help from across the Pacific Northwest in order to qualify for the postseason.
"We started game one behind on the scoreboard and just remained there," explained Corban head coach Ryan Harris. "The offense did a great job on the running game and gave us opportunities with runners in scoring position, and we just left too many bodies out there. Pitching wise, we gave up too many free bases. In game two, the guys did a great job staying in the ballgame and answering back in the run column. I love seeing them be able to handle adversity and give themselves a chance to win. Pedro was great in his relief appearance and earned that win no doubt."
Game 1 | Warner Pac 10, Corban 4
A three-run top of the first inning for the Knights (17-27, 10-21) set an early pace that the Warriors (15-29, 11-20) were unable to keep up with as the series opener progressed, as Warner Pac added two more three-run frames in the sixth and ninth to keep Corban just out of striking distance for the entirety of game one. Redshirt senior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen gave his offense a chance for the first five innings but eventually departed with seven earned runs allowed off ten hits and five walks despite striking out five Knights. Redshirt junior reliever Eddie Gould was the most consistent arm out of the bullpen in the opener, tossing 2.2 innings where he allowed just three batters to reach, one via hit and two via walks while striking out a pair.
Senior centerfielder Chase Elliott was the only Warrior in game one with multiple base hits, as he finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior leftfielder Lucas Mertlich continued tearing the cover off the baseball with another double added to his resume, with redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee tacking on a double of his own.
The Knights earned a game one victory behind the arm of starting pitcher Donny Tober, who picked up his second win of the season after tossing 7.0 inning and allowing just four runs on seven hits and three walks with five punchouts of his own. Relievers Hank Kern and Payton Smith each pitched an inning of scoreless relief out of the bullpen. At the plate, designated hitter Mason Deverna (3-for-5, two runs scored, two RBI) and first baseman Alex Nisbet (3-for-5, one run scored) led five Knights with multi-hit outings.
Game 1 | Corban 5, Warner Pac 4
In desperate need of a victory to kickstart a possible winning streak that could lead them into postseason play, the Warriors got the win they needed in the nightcap contest by rallying in the bottom of the eighth inning after they traded leads with Warner Pac once apiece and forced two separate ties. The Knights mashed three separate homers in game two, yet the Dubs' small ball play led by Elliott, redshirt sophomore rightfielder Sean Shaffer, and senior shortstop Isaac Bateman set up a pinch hit opportunity that secured them the win.
Following Bateman's sacrifice fly that scored senior first baseman Peyton Rickard from third base and tied the game up at 3-3, redshirt freshman Silas Berschauer brought his hot bat to the plate, having earned base hits in three of his five appearances since the beginning of the month, and delivered when Harris and the squad needed him most by singling up the middle to score senior pinch runner Ethan Ammerman around from second base.
With the lead now firmly back in the Warriors' dugout, senior reliever Joshua Pedronan entered for his fourth inning of relief and sat the Knights down in order with back-to-back strikeouts to wrap up his first winning decision of the season. Sophomore starting pitcher Brady Sprague was relieved by Pedronan following 5.0 innings of three-run baseball was credited with the no-decision after the offense rallied late on Pedronan's behalf.
Mertlich bounced back with a multi-hit performance in game two, powering the Corban lineup from the leadoff spot alongside multiple hits from Rickard and fifth year senior designated hitter Nathaniel Gutierrez. Bateman led the Warriors with two RBI while Rickard scored twice on the basepaths.
For Warner Pac, starter Ayden Yaeger nearly did enough to earn himself the win but gave up the fourth and fifth runs he needed to avoid a complete game loss, surrendering ten base hits and a walk while punching out three batters on 117 pitches. Leftfielder Mitchell Thoma-Britt finished 2-for-4 with both base hits represented by solo homers, allowing him to lead all hitters with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Warriors will close out their 2026 home schedule with a Sunday evening doubleheader with the Knights back at Roto-Rooter Park, where they will honor their 17 senior student-athletes between games three and four of their series with Warner Pac. Game one is scheduled for a 4pm first pitch, while game two will begin shortly after their Senior Night ceremony.
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