CALDWELL, Idaho – Pitching powered The College of Idaho to a day one sweep of Corban University Baseball, as the Warriors tallied 21 hits across today's 18 innings of action but only managed six runs due to striking out with runners aboard in nearly every inning of their Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) doubleheader.
"Game one we just gave out too many free bases on defense and too many strikeouts on offense," Corban head coach Ryan Harris shared. "In game two, we had plenty of action on offense but no production on the scoreboard. We've got to come back tomorrow and be better all the way around."
The name of the game today at Wolfe Field was timely pitching by the Yotes (22-12, 13-10) despite the Warriors' (12-24, 8-16) offense going toe-to-toe in terms of getting runners on base, C of I just induced the outs they needed more often than not to avoid any further damage in frames where the Dubs looked to strike. In both contests, the Navy and Gold either rallied to take the lead or tie things up on the scoreboard, yet the Yotes had an offensive answer awaiting behind every corner.
Corban redshirt senior starting pitcher Jack Kovanen and sophomore starter Brady Sprague accepted the losing decisions in games one and two, respectively, after both giving up six runs apiece to C of I's lineup. Four more Warriors saw action out of the bullpen, but only freshman right-hander Cole Thomas completed his appearance unscathed where he sat a pair of Yotes down and allowed no hits.
C of I ace Jackson Cummins picked up the game one victory after tossing 7.0 innings of four-run, nine-hit, and seven-strikeout baseball on the mound. In game two, starter Heath Sasser-Gunson didn't hit the minimum innings needed to qualify for the win, instead being earned by reliever Willy Shirts who threw 2.0 innings and allowed the Warriors' lone earned run of the contest. Reliever Kaysen Sandow was credited with a save after completing 3.0 shutout innings with four base hits allowed.
Of Corban's two nine-man starting lineups, 15 of them recorded at least one hit combined between both games of today's doubleheader, led by multi-hit outings by senior centerfielder Chase Elliott (4-for-9), junior designated hitter Lucas Mertlich (three hits, one run), redshirt sophomore third baseman JC Klee (three hits, three RBI, one run), and senior shortstop Isaac Bateman (two hits, two RBI, two runs).
The single offensive production of the day belonged the Yotes' shortstop James Hull, who finished the doubleheader a combined 7-for-9 at the plate with five runs scored and a pair of RBI. Rightfielder Austin Moon logged three RBI off two hits in game one, while first baseman was Darren Smith secured two RBI off two base knocks in the nightcap.
Day two between the Warriors and Yotes is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning at 11am MT/10am PT, with the series finale tentatively scheduled for 2pm MT/1pm PT.
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