C of I Pitchers Lead Yotes to Sweep of OIT
CALDWELL, Idaho -- College of Idaho pitchers allowed just seven hits in 16 innings of work today, as the Coyotes opened up NAIA Region I play with a doubleheader sweep of Oregon Tech, winning 8-1 and 8-0 at Simplot Stadium.
In the opener, The C of I (6-6, 2-0 Region I) used a six-run fifth inning rally to erase a 1-0 OIT lead, then had three pitchers combine on a four-hit shutout in the nightcap.
The Owls jumped out to the lead in Game 1 in the second, as Kenny Simmons rolled a two-out base hit through the left side, scoring Frank Drake. However, it was all OIT would get, as Coyote starter Joey Zubizarreta retired the final 17 batters in a row - tossing the complete game two-hitter.
The Yotes would erupt in the fifth, as Ray Morrison and Jake Miller led off with singles and were sacrificed into scoring position. Pinch hitter, Bryan Champ, fresh off the basketball team, hit a chopper to short that scored Morrison, but Ryson Mauricio's throw was wild to first, allowing Miller to move to third and Champ to second. Jordan Lanman would follow with an RBI ground out to give The C of I the lead. An RBI single by Cody Brubaker, a two-run triple by Richie Snider, and an RBI double from Alex O'Brien gave the Yotes an insurmountable lead.
Game 2 was dominated by Andrew Brock and the Coyote hurlers. The junior tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just three singles without a walk and four strikeouts. Pat Lyon and Jason Barry each threw a shutout inning in the win.
OIT (1-9) starter Derek Jacobsen struck out seven in six-plus innings of work, but the Yotes scratched together a pair of runs in the second to take the lead - one they would not give up. A four-run seventh inning, keyed by three Tech errors, extended the margin to 7-0.
O'Brien, Champ, and Dane McGrady each had two hits - with McGrady reaching base in all five plate appearances.
The Coyotes and Owls complete the series with a doubleheader tomorrow at 11 a.m.