Quartet records two hits each against D-III Bearcats
April 3 , 2007
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Senior Jeremy Frantz went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI today in the opener of the inaugural Governor's Cup versus cross-town rivals Willamette. (Photo courtesy of Corban Sports Info.) |
SALEM, Ore. – Four Warrior players recorded two hits apiece led by senior Jeremy Frantz (Medford, Ore.) with a double and a run batted in, but Corban's baseball team dropped a heart-breaker, 5-4, on Tuesday to cross-town rivals Willamette in the opening game of the Governor's Cup series.
With the victory, Willamette take a 1-0 lead in the inaugural Governor's Cup series with two more games to be played this month.
The visiting Bearcats got on the board first in the second inning when Kirk Struble and James Perez recorded back-to-back singles before advancing one base on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Roberts. A few pitches later, Struble scored on a wild pitch putting the first run of the game on the board.
Two innings later, Corban got itself on the board when Frantz stroked a double to left field before junior Darren Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.) followed that with a single to center field. Freshman Josh Warner (Independence, Ore.) then singled to third base, allowing Frantz to score and Johnson to move up ninety feet. Junior Scott Flux (Salem, Ore.) then grounded out to second base which allowed Johnson to cross home as the Warriors' second run.
Willamette re-took the lead in the top of the 5th inning when Kyle Stalker singled through the right side of the infield before Colin Clark doubled down the left field line, which advanced Stalker to third. One batter later, Jack McGee hit a double to left field that was misplayed by Flux and allowed both Stalker and Clark to score.
The Bearcats tacked on another single run in the 6th inning when Stalker recorded her second straight hit on a single through the right side of the infield, which allowed Perez to score from third.
The host Warriors put another run on the board in the seventh inning when Frantz reached on a fielder's choice that allowed freshman Zack James (Medford, Ore.) to score from third following the freshman's fourth hit of the season -- a single to right center.
Willamette scored what would turn out to be the game-winning run in the eighth inning via a wild pitch that allowed Sean Anderson to score from third.
Corban attempted to comeback in its half of the eighth inning when sophomore Owen Frasier (Vancouver, Wash.) walked and junior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) singled through the right side of the infield and to advance Frasier two bases to third. James then recorded his second hit on the afternoon with a single to left field that scored Frasier. Unfortunately, Willamette replaced relief pitcher Matt Bicocca and got the final out of the inning to preserve the one-run lead.
Neither team scored in the ninth inning, as senior reliever Scott Fitchett (Sandpoint, Idaho) held Willamette hit-less before the Bearcats' Jimmy Meuel got Corban's 4, 5, and 6 hitter to pick up his first save of the season.
On the afternoon, Frantz went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI, while McGraw, James, and Warner each recorded a pair of hits against Willamette pitching. First-year head coach Nate Mayben sent six different pitchers to the mound with junior starter Jordan Emery (Salem, Ore.), sophomore reliever Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.), and Fitchett each pitching 2.0 innings. The Warrior pitching staff combined to allow 5 runs (all earned) on 13 hits with 7 strikeouts.
For Willamette, Stalker and Perez recorded two hits each, while McGee drove in a game-high two RBIs. The Bearcats' Stephen Lane picked up the win, as he was the pitcher of record when Willamette took the lead for good in the fifth inning.
With the loss, Corban falls to 10-18-1 overall, while Willamette improves to 13-12 on the season. The Warriors will return to conference action on Friday, April 6th, when they host the NAIA's No. 23-ranked Coyotes of Albertson College of Idaho beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.
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