Gregg Romero drove in a game-high four runs in Game #2, as Corban swept rival Concordia en route to winning its first NAIA West series of the season Saturday on Warrior Field.
Corban Sweeps Double Header Against Rival Concordia
BOX SCORES – GAME #1 | GAME #2
SALEM, Ore. – For the first time this season, Corban University won a NAIA West series thanks to a double header sweep over the Cavaliers of Concordia, 10-1 & 8-4, Saturday on Warrior Field.
Corban (21-13, 8-8 NAIA West) was led offensively by Derek Legg and William Koenig with a combined five hits each, while Gregg Romero drove in a team-high four RBIs in the Warriors' come-from-behind win in this weekend's finale.
Caleb Virtue would get the start in Game #1 for Corban, as he allowed one earned run on six hits in 7.0 innings of work before David Hull gave up just two hits over the game's final 2.0 innings. In Game #2, Daniel Gober went the opening 5.1 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits with a game-high four strikeouts before turning the ball over to Hull and Ransom Storm for the final 3.2 innings.
Concordia (16-18, 8-8 NAIA West) was led offensively by Blake Drake, Cole Shidaki, and Ryne Briley with a combined three hits each, while Briley drove in a team-high two RBI for the visiting Cavaliers.
CU's Eddie Crowe would get the start in the opener allowing four earned runs on seven hits before Harrison McGhee gave up six earned runs on seven hits over the final 4.0 innings of the game. In Game #2, Jason Snodgrass allowed one earned run on three hits over the opening 5.2 innings before a trio of Cavalier relievers – Ryan Garrett, Blake Evetts, and Christian Bannister – combined to give up seven runs (three earned) on five hits over the final 2.1 innings of work.
GAME #1 — CORBAN 10, CONCORDIA 1
In Saturday's opener, Corban would grab a two-run lead in the bottom of the first inning when Nate Williams registered a run-scoring ground out before Peter Martin ripped a RBI double to left center that resulted in a 2-0 lead for the host Warriors that they would never relinquish.
Concordia would get within a single run (2-1) in the top of the third inning thanks to a RBI double to left field by Briley that scored Shidaki from first following his two-out single.
In the top of the fourth inning, Corban would added to its lead by putting two runs on the scoreboard and increased its advantage to three runs (4-1). Koenig would drive in both runs with a two-run single up the middle that scored Jeremiah Forrister and Jordan Johansen.
One inning later, Corban would erupt for six runs on six hits that was highlighted by four straight RBI hits with Legg ripping a two-run single to right center that would put the Warriors ahead by eight runs (9-1). Williams would close out the game's scoring when he lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored pinch-runner Jake Kunkel, as Corban grabbed a nine-run lead (10-1).
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Concordia had a chance to add another run on the board only to have Ross Hasegawa thrown out at the plate by Romero to end the inning.
Concordia would not muster much offense over the final two innings, as Corban's pitching and defense shut down the visiting Cavaliers with no runner advancing past second base.
Koenig and Martin would lead Corban's offense, as Koenig went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in and Martin tallied four hits as well with a run scored and one RBI. Legg also registered three hits with a pair of RBI, while Williams drove in two runs in three plate apperances.
Concordia was led offensively by Briley with a pair of hits, while he also drove in the Cavaliers' lone run of the game.
GAME #2 — CORBAN 8, CONCORDIA 4
In this weekend's finale, a pitcher's dual would break out over the opening two innings before Concordia scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning when pinch-runner Julian Burgess scored on a throwing error by Corban before Shidaki ripped a run-scoring single to right center that brought home Jimmy Sanchez giving the visiting Cavaliers a two-run lead (2-0).
Over the opening five innings, Corban would be held to just one hit until the Warriors scored their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a RBI single to right center by Legg that scored Lathan Alger and pulled the Warriors within a single run (2-1).
In the top of the seventh inning, Concordia would increase its lead to three runs (4-1) when the Cavaliers scored two runs on a pair of hits and capitalized on two Corban errors. Burgess, who was pinch running for Ben Talbot after he opened the inning by reaching on the Warriors' first error, would come home when Shidaki reached on Corban's second miscue of the at-bat before Briley drove in Drake on a single through the right side for CU's final run of the game.
Corban would waste little time in starting its comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Warriors plated four runs on three hits, while also taking advantage of two Concordia errors. Johansen would bring home the Warriors' first run on an infield single that scored Lance Foster after he advanced to third on Concordia's first miscue defensively. Matt Hamlin would step to the plate as a pinch-hitter and lifted a deep fly ball into left field that was dropped by the Cavaliers' outfielder allowing Koenig to score and pulled Corban within a single run (4-3). After an intentional walk to Landon Frost loaded the bases, Romero stepped up and ripped a two-run single through the left side that plated Johansen and Alger with the eventual game-winning run as the Warriors grabbed a one-run lead (5-4).
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Corban would add three more runs on a pair of hits as the Warriors pushed their lead to four runs (8-4). Frost would reach on a fielding error by Concordia with the bases loaded that allowed Kyle Kunkel to score before Romero singled to right field to drive in the game's final two runs, as Johansen and Alger scored.
Corban's Storm would keep Concordia scoreless in the top of the ninth inning, as the first-year Warrior earned his second win of the year in relief.
Romero would lead Corban's offense with a two-hit performance and drove in four runs, while five other Warriors also tallied hits for the Warriors.
Concordia was led offensively by Drake and Shidaki with two hits each, while Shidaki and Briley drove in two of the Cavaliers' four runs in the game.
Both teams will return to the diamond on Tuesday, April 2nd, as Corban travels to take on cross town rival Willamette in Salem and Concordia travels to Newberg to go head-to-head with George Fox.