FULLERTON, Calif. – For the second time in as many games, the Corban University baseball team fell by way of the walk-off in Friday's opener against (RV) Hope International University, dropping game one by a final score of 4-3. The Royals then capped off the doubleheader sweep with a 5-0 triumph in game two, powered by a first-inning grand slam from Nolan Kraemer.
"We are not currently playing Warrior baseball," said head coach Derek Legg. "We will make the necessary adjustments to make sure that happens soon."
Hope International, the 2019 Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Tournament Champions, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in game one courtesy of an RBI fielder's choice from Sam Dinerman in the second.
Corban starter Jackson Arnsdorf settled in nicely after that, scattering seven Royal hits to limit the damage to just the one run over his five innings of work.
The Warriors pulled even in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of an erratic inning from Royal starter Michael Lozano to scratch across a run. Dakota Fingar got the frame started with an opposite-field double, with Brendan Rodegerdts reaching via hit-by-pitch immediately after. Fingar would eventually advance to third and score via a pair of wild pitches from Lozano.
Leadoff man Estenio Sede gave the Navy and Gold the advantage in the seventh, blasting a two-run shot for Corban's first home run of the 2020 season. The switch-hitter landed the blow from the right side of the dish, sending a high fastball well over the wall in left.
The lead wouldn't last long, however, as the Royals quickly answered with two of their own in the bottom half, both of which crossed on a Tony Monroy two-bagger.
Heading into the ninth knotted at three apiece, it was Jordan Achay who played the hero, hooking a walk-off RBI single through the left side to give the Royals the win.
Rodegerdts (2-for-2, R, BB) finished the contest as the lone Warrior with a multi-hit performance, reaching in all three of his plate appearances.
The Royals immediately applied pressure in the back half of Friday's two-game set, loading the bases with just one out in the first inning against Warrior starter Hector Sepulveda. Though Sepulveda was able to freeze Dominic Donato for a crucial second out, Kraemer cleared the bases with a booming shot to left.
That would be more than enough for Hope International's three arms—Israel Fuentes, Eddie Fournier, and Jacob Channel—who worked together to earn a combined shutout in the seven-inning matchup.
Having opened the season with six-straight contests against opponents who are represented on the NAIA Coaches' Poll, the Warriors will continue their challenging non-conference slate with a doubleheader tomorrow against another top GSAC foe.
Corban (0-6) will head to Santa Clarita, Calif. to challenge The Master's University. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11 a.m.
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