Oregon Tech Holds off Corban for 3-2 win in NAIA West Series Opener
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A Matthew Moorehead two-run homerun in the fourth inning proved to be the game-winner, as Oregon Tech held off Corban University, 3-2, in NAIA West baseball action tonight at Kiger Stadium.
Oregon Tech (9-18, 2-8 NAIA W) and Corban (7-12, 4-6 NAIA W) face off Saturday in a NAIA West doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
Ben Liogan singled in Corban’s first run in their first at-bat with Oregon Tech’s Michael Kilpatrick recording a triple in the bottom half of the first inning, and later scoring on a Colton Hinrickson RBI single, tying the game at 1-1.
The Owls took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning when Louis Wolf reached on a walk followed by a Matthew Moorehead two-run blast putting Tech up 3-1.
Corban threatened in the sixth, including a leadoff double by Hayden Calvert. CU would load the bases and close to 3-2 when Jackson Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Tech’s John Schultz, coming in to relieve starter Michael McCall, coaxed a fly out to end the inning and CU rally. Schultz would get the Owls through the eighth inning, while Adam Kandra (photo by Kelly Caleb) earned his first save of the season, getting the final three outs in the ninth inning.
McCall earned the win for Tech going 5.2 innings, striking out five and allowing two earned in the outing. Schulz gave up two hits and struck out two in his 2.1 innings with Kandra finishing up the game.
Danny Topps, Kilpatrick, Ryan Grant, Hinrickson and Moorehead recorded Tech’s five hits in the win.
Calvert and Braden Wolgamott doubled for the Warriors in the loss.