Senior Jordan Emery registered his league-leading third complete game of the season, as the right-hander defeated C of I to pick up his third win of the season today.
Spicer, Flux, & Emery Lead Corban Over College of Idaho
SALEM, Ore. – Senior Scott Flux (Salem, Ore.) and junior Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.) each went 3-for-4 at the plate to go along with senior Jordan Emery's (Salem, Ore.) complete game performance, as Corban's baseball team defeated the visiting 'Yotes of The College of Idaho, 4-2, Friday at Warrior Field.
The game opened with the visiting 'Yotes putting a pair of runners on base via a walk and single before Emery and the Warrior defense settled down. With C of I runners on second and third with one out, Emery got Cody Brubaker to pop out to short before Richie Snider ended The College of Idaho's opening inning threat with a fly out to right field.
In the bottom of the first inning, senior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) began the frame with a deep fly out to left field before freshman Nate Hiebert (Lebanon, Ore.) recorded the Warriors' first hit via a single to center field. The very next batter -- Spicer -- advanced everyone ninety feet with a single to right field before senior Daniel Flores (San Jose, Calif.) flied out to second base. With runners on first and second and two outs, Flux came to the plate and doubled down the right field line to score both runners and put Corban up by a pair of runs (2-0) after the opening inning.
Neither team could put another run on the board until The College of Idaho broke through with a single run in the top of the sixth inning. C of I's Bryan Champ opened the inning with a double to left field before advancing to third on a ground out to the pitcher by Brad Carlsen. The very next batter -- Jake Miller -- brought Champ home with a ground out to short for the 'Yotes first run of the game.
The College of Idaho tied the game at 2-all in the top of the seventh inning, as Richie Snider opened the inning with a double to right center. Pinch runner Brett Ward, who was running for Snider, advanced to third on a wild pitch before coming home via an Alex O'Brien ground out to second for the game-tying run.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, sophomore Matt Schmidt (Corvallis, Ore.) opened the frame with a single to center field. Two batters later, Spicer registered his third and final hit of the game via a single to right field before both he and Schmidt advanced an extra base via an error by the 'Yotes right fielder. On the very next pitch, Flores roped a single into left field that scored both Schmidt (from third) and Spicer (from second) for the eventual game-winning runs.
Emery retired six of the next eight 'Yote batters en route to securing his third victory of the season, as the senior right-hander went the distance allowing two earned runs on five hits. Emery recorded a team-high two K's, while facing a mere seven C of I batters over the limit.
Offensively for Corban, McGraw, Hiebert, Flores, Schmidt, and sophomore Mitch Riddle (Pullman, Wash.) each recorded a hit as the Warriors' bat came alive with 11 hits. Spicer scored a pair of runs, while Hiebert and Schmidt accounted for the Warriors' other run. Meanwhile, Flux knocked home a pair of Corban base runners as the senior designated hitter roped two doubles in the game to go along with Flores' two RBI single that would bring home the game-winning run.
The College of Idaho's offense was led by five different 'Yotes that recorded a hit apiece. C of I's starter Joey Zubizarreta went the first 7.0 innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on 11 hits while striking out three Warrior hitters. Jake Bottari took the hill for the final inning, which was a scoreless eighth frame that the right-hander recorded a pair of strikeouts.
With the victory, Corban improves to 6-11 overall, 3-3 in NAIA Region I action. Meanwhile, The College of Idaho falls to 10-12 overall, 4-3 in NAIA Region I play. Both teams will go head-to-head on Saturday, March 22nd, in a Cascade Collegiate Conference doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Warrior Field.