Nelson homers twice in back-to-back losses to Concordia

March 4, 2006

BOX SCORES - Game #1 | Game #2

Senior Brian Nelson recorded a game-high 5 hits, including back-to-back home runs, while scoring 3 runs and knocking in 5 RBIs on Saturday. (Photo by Mark Colachico)

PORTLAND, Ore. – Senior Brian Nelson (Lebanon ,Ore.) went a combined 5-for-8, including 2 home runs, with 3 runs scored and 5 runs batted in, but it was not enough as Corban’s baseball team dropped back-to-back games to Concordia, 5-6 & 5-8, at the Yard.

In the first game, Corban allowed the host Cavaliers to score 5 runs before getting their first in the 6th inning.  Sophomore Ryan Porter (Keizer, Ore.) recorded a two-out double before Nelson knocked in the Warrior short stop with an RBI single.

Concordia put another lone run up on the board in the 6th inning before Corban mounted a come back in the 7th.  Junior Ryan Heil (Medford, Ore.) began the inning with a single and then was followed by a walk and a single that loaded the bases for junior Jeremy Frantz (Medford, Ore.).  Frantz grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Heil from third.  Following a walk to sophomore Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.), that loaded the bases again, Porter singled, scoring junior Kyle Myers (Canyon City, Ore.).  Nelson then brought the Warriors within a run with a 2-run double that scored both McGraw and Frantz.  With two outs and runners on second and third, junior pitcher Brett Timmerman (Medford, Ore.) struck out to end the game and give the host Cavaliers the victory, 6-5.

In game two, neither team scored until Nelson recorded his second home run in two days leading off the 4th inning.  Freshman pitcher Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) allowed Concordia to take the lead, 2-1, after four innings, but settled down and held the Cavaliers at bay until the 9th inning.

Corban went up 3-2 thanks to RBI singles by Frantz and Timmerman in the 6th inning.  In the 8th inning, the Warriors extended their lead when Nelson hit his second home run of the game and Frantz scored on a balk.

The Warriors were ahead 5-3 in the 9th inning, as Braun got two outs before allowing Concordia to tie the game at 5-all.  Sophomore reliever Derek Stokes (Anchorage, Alaska) came in with runners on 1st and 3rd and the Cavaliers’ Joe Brandt at the plate.  Brandt promptly ended the game with one swing – a 3-run home run – that gave Concordia the double header sweep thanks to a 8-5 come-from-behind win.

Timmerman pitched a complete game in the first game, allowing 6 runs (all earned) on 7 hits with 2 strikeouts.  Braun started the second game and went the first 8.2 innings, allowing 7 runs (all earned) on 11 hits with 6 strikeouts, before handing the ball over to Stokes for the final batter.

The Warriors recorded 16 hits on the day, as Nelson led all players with 5.  Porter recorded 3 hits with 2 runs scored and an RBI, while eight other Corban players registered 1 hit each.

With the losses, Corban falls to 3-5 overall, 1-3 in NAIA Region I action.  Concordia improves to 7-4 overall, 3-1 in NAIA Region I play.  The Warriors will be next in action on Tuesday, March 7th, when they face cross-town neighbor Willamette beginning at 3:00 p.m. at John Lewis Field in Salem.