Jarel Lewis had four hits and three RBI in the Game 2 win
CALDWELL, Idaho - Tyler Andazola went 6-for-9 on the afternoon and Jarel Lewis added five hits as The College of Idaho moved its record to 10-2 during the month of April, sweeping an NAIA West doubleheader from Menlo College, winning 5-4 and 14-4, at sunny Wolfe Field.
The Yotes (34-12, 19-7 NAIA West) rallied from a 4-3 deficit in Game 1, getting an RBI ground out by Jeffrey Harris in the eighth to tie the score and Todd Griffiths scoring the winning run in the ninth on a throwing error.
Menlo (24-23, 17-13 NAIA West) struck first, as Oaks first baseman Will Pierce hit a two-run single down the left field line to highlight a three-run third inning. The Coyotes plated two in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on a double play ball, with a second run scoring on a drag bunt single by Tanner Hodges, then tied the game in the fifth, as Zach Fabricius scored on an Izaac Garsez double.
John Hanley gave the Oaks the lead in the seventh with an RBI double – just out of the reach of Andazola in center, but the Yotes tied the game in the eighth, as Lewis led off the inning with a double, scoring on a Harris ground out.
Michael Garza got the win for the Yotes after a scoreless ninth, as Griffiths singled to lead off the final frame and scored with two outs when Menlo shortstop Coleman Cox bobbled an Andazola grounder and threw wildly to first.
Starting pitchers Chad Yeggy and Joey Webb were solid, both giving up four earned runs - as Webb took the loss in the complete-game effort, while Yeggy went eight innings, striking out five. Andazola and Garsez had two hits for the Yotes, with Hanley and Ty Finley logging two hits for the Oaks.
Game 2 saw the Yotes score eight runs in the opening inning and cruised to the win. Andazola and Lewis each had two singles, two RBI, and one run scored each in the frame – chasing Menlo starter Derek Rodrigues.
The visitors climbed back into the game in the third – chasing C of I starter Taylor Nicholson, as Michael Brandi hit a two-run homer, with the Oaks cutting the margin to 8-3.
Garza was again the stopper for the Yotes, holding Menlo at bay for five-plus innings of relief, earning his second win of the day, allowing no earned runs, striking out four, without a walk.
The Yotes put the game away in the seven, as Andazola and Andrew Sewell had RBI singles, followed by a two-run homer by Garsez to cap the scoring.
Andazola and Lewis each went 4-for-5 with three RBI in the win, as the Yotes hammered out 17 hits. Hanley had three hits in the loss for Menlo.
The two teams will close out the series tomorrow with an 11 a.m. doubleheader. It marks the final home games for eight C of I senior student-athletes.