Junior Derek Stokes pitched a near-perfect five innings in relief, as the right-hander allowed zero runs on a mere three hits by The College of Idaho in the night cap.
McGraw Paces Corban in Losses to 'Yotes of College of Idaho
SALEM, Ore. – Senior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) went a combined 3-for-7 at the plate with a run scored to go along with junior Rondie Taylor's (Clackamas, Ore.) two-hit performance in the night cap, as Corban's baseball team dropped a pair to the 'Yotes of The College of Idaho, 5-2 & 4-0, Saturday at Warrior Field.
Coming into today's twin bill, the host Warriors were the conference leaders by two games with both Concordia and The College of Idaho nipping at their heals. After the conclusion of today's doubleheader,Corban sits in third place a half game behind C of I while trailing the Cavaliers of Concordia by two games in the loss column.
Game #1 - The College of Idaho 5, Corban 2
In the opener, Corban put a pair of runs on the board in the first inning as McGraw led things off for the Warriors with a single to left field before freshman Nate Hiebert (Lebanon, Ore.) sacrificed McGraw up ninety feet via a bunt to third base. One batter later, senior Daniel Flores (San Jose, Calif.) hit a rope double to center field that the 'Yotes outfield general misplayed via a slip in the wet outfield grass of Warrior Field. With the little slip by C of I's Luke Howarth, Flores' line drive floated over his head allowing McGraw to score from second. The very next batter -- senior Scott Flux (Salem, Ore.) -- brought Flores home from second with a looping single to center field, as the senior shortstop slid home just under the throw of Howarth from center.
The College of Idaho got on the board in the top of the third inning, as Cody Brubaker singled to left field and then stole second before advancing to third on a Alex O'Brien ground out. The 'Yotes' Jordan Lanman, who was the next batter in the lineup, brought Brubaker home via an infield single deep in the hole between short and third.
In the top of the fourth inning, The College of Idaho tied the game at 2-all via a O'Brien sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Jake Miller to score from third following his double two batters earlier.
The visiting 'Yotes took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning when O'Brien registered his second RBI of the game via a single through the right side that allowed Brad Carlsen to score from second.
In the top of the seventh inning, C of I added a pair of insurance runs as Bryan Champ brought home Howarth via a single up the middle. One batter later, pinch runner Brett Ward crossed the plate for the game's final run as he scored on the game's lone wild pitch.
Offensively, four different Warriors -- McGraw, junior Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.), Flores, and Flux -- registered base hits, while junior Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) went the distance on the hill for Corban allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits while recording a game-high seven strikeouts.
For The College of Idaho, Miller and Brubaker each tallied a pair of hits to go along with O'Brien's two-RBI performance. On the mound, the 'Yotes' Pat Lyon went the distance allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits while striking out three Warrior batters.
Game #2 - The College of Idaho 4, Corban 0
In the night cap, The College of Idaho scored a pair of runs in the opening inning when Brubaker doubled to center field allowing Champ to score from second after he reached via a throwing error by the Warriors' shortstop. O'Brien came up immediately following Brubaker and looped a single down the left field that allowed Brubaker to score from second, but O'Brien got thrown out at second attempting to stretch his single into a double.
The College of Idaho put another run on the board in the top of the second inning, as Gavin Gamboa began the frame with a double to left center before advancing to third via a single to left field by Jacob Garsez. Following Garsez's steal of second, Howarth grounded out to the pitcher as Corban got Garsez into a rundown between second and third with Flores tagging out Garsez before attempting to throw out Gamboa at home. Unfortunately for the Warriors, Flores' throw sailed over sophomore catcher Mitch Riddle (Pullman, Wash.) allowing Gamboa to score the 'Yotes' third run of the game.
Corban best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the third inning, as Taylor ended The College of Idaho's Andrew Brock's perfect game with a single to right field. McGraw, who was the next batter, singled to center field following Taylor's steal of second base allowing the fleat-footed junior a chance to score the Warriors' first run of the finale. Unfortunately for Corban, C of I's Howarth unleashed a high throw home that the 'Yotes' catcher Dane McGrady leapt in the air and pulled down just in time to tag Taylor out at home ending the Warriors' third inning threat.
C of I's final run came in the top of the fourth inning via a sacrifice fly to center field by Garsez that allowed O'Brien to score from third.
Neither team could put another run on the board over the game's final five-and-a-half innings, as the two teams combined for a mere seven hits over the final 11 at-bats.
Corban's offense was led by McGraw and Taylor, who each registered a pair of hits to go along with a trio of Warriors -- Hiebert, Spicer, and Flux -- that recorded a hit each. On the mound for Corban, junior starter Brandon Wolters (Gresham, Ore.) took the ball for the opening 4.0 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits before giving way to junior Derek Stokes (Anchorage, Alaska). Stokes, who pitched the final 5.0 innings, allowed a mere three hits while striking out a game-high two Coyote batters.
Offensively, Brubaker and Gamboa led The College of Idaho with a pair of hits each to go along with Brubaker's RBI and Gamboa's one run scored. C of I's Brock went the distance, allowing zero runs on seven hits while registering one strikeout.
With the losses, Corban falls to 6-13 overall, 3-5 in NAIA Region I action. Meanwhile, The College of Idaho improves to 12-13 overall, 6-3 in NAIA Region I play. The Warriors will return to action on Friday, March 28th, when Corban travels north to Portland for the opening game of a three-game series with the Cavaliers of Concordia beginning at 2:00 p.m. at The Yard.