Junior Jake Balbas nearly pitched Corban to an upset over No. 11-ranked Lewis-Clark State Friday at Harris Field.
Corban's Balbas Pitches Gem Against No. 11-Ranked LCSC
BOX SCORE
LEWISTON, Idaho – In the closest game between Corban and the NAIA's No. 11-ranked Lewis-Clark State since February of 2009, junior Jake Balbas went the opening 5.1 innings with a game-high five strikeouts in a 2-0 loss to the ranked Warriors Friday at Harris Field.
Following tonight's result, Corban moves to 8-3 overall and 0-1 in NAIA West play. Meanwhile, Lewis-Clark State improves to 14-3 overall and 4-1 in NAIA West games.
On February 27, 2009, Corban nearly upset nationally-ranked Lewis-Clark State before falling by a single run, 4-3, in Idaho. Since then, L-C State has outscored the visiting Warriors by a combined 178 runs (221-43) in 19 games.
Corban would have the first chance to score in the top of the third inning when freshman Marc Gallegos opened the at-bat with a bunt single to third before advancing to second on a LCSC throwing error. Sophomore Gregg Romero would then register a bunt single back to the pitcher allowing Gallegos to more to third with no out. Unfortunately, Lewis-Clark State's pitcher and defense would settle down getting three straight outs via a shallow fly out and a pair of strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.
In the bottom of the fourth inning. L-C State would finally get on the board when Aaron DeGuire ripped a two-out single to right field allowing Bobby Tannehill to score from second after his one-out double down the left field line to put the host Warriors up by a single run (1-0) after four innings of play.
Neither team would register much offense until the bottom of the sixth inning when Lewis-Clark State added its second and final run of the game, as Connor Moore led off with a double down the right field line before advancing to third on a wild pitch. DeGuire would collect his second RBI of the night with a ground out to short lifting the Warriors' advantage to two runs (2-0).
Corban would have two more chances to score in the top of the seventh thanks to a two-out double by sophomore Kris Gokey and a two-out single by sophomore Lance Foster in the top of the ninth inning. Unfortunately, both scoring opportunities would be halted by Lewis-Clark State's defense thanks to a pair of inning-ending ground outs.
Six different Corban players – Gallegos, Romero, freshman Tyler Atkinson, senior Colby Sokol, Foster, and Gokey – registered hits, while Balbas put together the best outing of his career against a nationally-ranked opponent going the opening 5.1 innings allowing two earned runs on four hits. Senior Anthony Wirkkala would relieve Balbas over the final 2.2 innings allowing just three hits to go along with one K.
Lewis-Clark State was led offensively by seven different players with a hit each, while DeGuire drove in both Warrior runs. On the mound, Austin Pentecost earn the victory pitching the opening 7.0 innings allowing five hits with a team-high four strikeouts. Pentecost was relieved by a pair of LCSC pitchers – Zach Clanton and Terik Gofinch – that combined to allow just one hits with two K's. Gofinch would earn the save thanks to a near-perfect ninth inning.
These same two teams will continue their four-game NAIA West weekend series with a double header tomorrow – Saturday, March 3rd – beginning at noon on Harris Field in Lewiston, Idaho.