Warriors drop opening game to Thunderbirds of British Columbia

March 31, 2006

BOX SCORE

Sophomore centerfielder Jamie McGraw registered his first four-bagger of the season -- a 9th inning blast to left-center -- to cap a 3-for-4 day at the plate. (Photo by Charissa Hunter)

SALEM, Ore. – Despite a 3-for-4 performance by sophomore Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.), Corban’s baseball team dropped the opening game of its weekend series with the NAIA’s No. 11-ranked British Columbia, 9-2, at Warrior Field. 

The visiting Thunderbirds got things rolling from the opening batter when UBC’s Mark Capone deposited the fourth pitch of the game over the right field wall for the early 1-run lead.

British Columbia scored in 6-out-of-9 innings, including 3 home runs by Conner Janes.  Janes led off the 2nd inning with a solo shot over the left field wall and then belted back-to-back round-trippers in the 6th and 8th inning.  The 6-foot-3 right-hander went 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs.

Corban got a single run in the 4th inning when junior Brett Timmerman (Medford, Ore.) drove in senior Brian Nelson (Lebanon, Ore.) on a botched double play ball that kept the inning alive.

McGraw added the Warriors’ second run of the day in the final inning when he belted his first home run of the season over the left-center field wall.  The 6-foot lead off batter also recorded his club-best 6th stolen base of the season in the 3rd inning.

Junior starter Scott Fitchett (Sandpoint, Idaho) went the first 8.0 innings, allowing 8 runs (all earned) on 7 hits, while fanning 6 Thunderbird batters.  Timmerman moved from left field to the mound for the final three outs and allowed 1 run (all earned) on 1 hit.

Four Warriors – sophomore Ryan Porter (Keizer, Ore.), Nelson, junior Jeremy Frantz (Medford, Ore.), and senior Jesse Gaylord (Portland, Ore.) – recorded 1 hit each.

British Columbia used four pitchers beginning with Shawn Shaefer, who went 5.0 innings and allowed 1 run (0 earned) on 5 hits.  The final trio of Thunderbird hurlers – Dave Pasquali, Brendan Rolfe, and Jonathan Forest – combined for 4.0 innings of work and allowed only 1 earned run on 2 hits.

Corban is now 6-15 overall, 1-10 in NAIA Region I action.  British Columbia improves to 23-7 overall, 14-0 in NAIA Region I play.  The two teams return to the field on Saturday, April 1st, with a double header beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.