Flores hits a pair of home run in losses to Hustlin' Owls
April 4, 2008
|
Senior Daniel Flores belted his team-leading third and fourth home run of the season today against the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech. (Photo courtesy of Mike Howden, Corban photographer)
|
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Senior Daniel Flores (San Jose, Calif.) hit a pair of home runs in today's doubleheader and went a combined 3-for-8 with three runs scored and three RBIs, as Corban's baseball team dropped both games to the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech, 10-8 & 14-6, Friday at Kiger Stadium.
Beginning a 16-game road trip, Corban attempted to get off to a good start against the Hustlin' Owls but could not overcome near-freezing temperatures and 14 runners left-on-base in the twinbill.
Game #1 - Oregon Tech 10, Corban 8
In the opener, Corban jumped out an 8-4 lead after the first four-in-a-half innings thanks to a two-home run by Flores in the third inning and a pair of RBIs by junior Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.) and senior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.).
Unfortunately for the Warriors, Oregon Tech tacked on five runs in the fifth inning and a single run in the sixth for the final tally of ten Owl runs.
Offensively, Corban was led by McGraw, who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and two RBIs. Meanwhile, Spicer turned in a 3-for-4 performance to go along with freshman Kyle Taylor's (Clackamas, Ore.) 2-for-4 showing at the plate in the opening game.
Junior Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) went the distance for the Warriors, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits, while striking out a mere one Owl batter.
For Oregon Tech, Ryson Mauricio and Sean Teaters each had two hits in the opener to go along with five other Hustlin' Owls that registered a hit against Warrior pitching. Derek Jacobson began on the mound for Oregon Tech and went the first 4.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits along with a game-high four K's before handing the ball over to Kevin Huntley for the game's final 3.0 innings of work.
Game #2 - Oregon Tech 14, Corban 6
In the night cap, Oregon Tech scored two runs in each of the first three innings before exploding for six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Corban got single runs in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth inning respectively. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late for the visiting Warriors as Oregon Tech built a 12-2 lead after the fourth inning.
The Warriors' lone highlight in today's finale came off the bat of Flores, who led off the top of the fourth inning with his team-leading fourth home run of the season.
Corban was led offensively in the night cap by sophomore Josh Warner (Independence, Ore.), who went a perfect 2-for-2. Meanwhile, Flores and Taylor each registered two hits in the finale to go along with five other Warriors -- McGraw, senior Scott Flux (Salem, Ore.), sophomore Cameron Meier (Salem, Ore.), senior Darren Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.), and junior Rondie Taylor (Clackamas, Ore.) -- who registered a hit each in the night cap.
Senior Jordan Emery (Salem, Ore.) took the ball to open for the Warriors and went 3.1 innings, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits before being relieved by junior Derek Stokes (Anchorage, Alaska) for the game's final 4.2 innings.
Offensively, Frank Drake and former North Salem High School graduate Lee Ecklund led Oregon Tech with a pair of three-hit performances, while Josh Strom began on the hill for the Hustlin' Owls and went 6.0 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Strom was relieved by Cory Stratton, who went the final 3.0 innings for the host Owls.
With the losses, Corban falls to 6-17 overall, 3-9 in NAIA Region I action. Meanwhile, Oregon Tech improves to 12-19 overall, 4-7 in NAIA Region I play. The Warriors and Hustlin' Owls will return to action on Saturday, April 5th, for the finale of the three-game series beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Kiger Stadium.
|
