Warriors drop twin bill to Hustlin’ Owls of Oregon Tech

April 5, 2006

BOX SCORES - GAME #1 | GAME #2

Sophomore Derek Stokes pitched the final 3.0 innings of Game #2 and shut down an Oregon Tech offense that had scored 22 runs on 32 hits over the first 13 innings of the double header.

SALEM, Ore. – Despite a combined 4-for-7 performance with 2 runs batted in and one run scored by senior Brian Nelson (Lebanon, Ore.), Corban’s baseball team watched as 22 runs crossed the plate on a combined 33 hits in back-to-back conference losses, 11-1 & 11-6, to the Hustlin’ Owls of Oregon Tech at Warrior Field. 

Things began well and continued throughout the day for the visiting Hustlin’ Owls, as lead off batter Derrick Draper singled to open the game.  Despite right fielder Derek Bodeen being picked off at first base and OIT stranding a runner at third in the 1st inning, the Owls scored at least one run in 11 of the twin bill’s 16 innings.

Corban scored their lone run of the first game in the 4th inning when junior left fielder Brett Timmerman (Medford, Ore.) singled home Nelson from second base.  Nelson finished game one 2-for-3 with a run scored, as the 6-foot-3 senior first baseman recorded the Warriors’ only two hits through the first three innings.

Junior starter Scott Fitchett (Sandpoint, Idaho) pitched the first 5.1 innings, allowing 7 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits before handing the ball over to junior reliever Bryan Bernard (Salem, Ore.).  Bernard threw the final 1.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits.

In the nightcap, Oregon Tech scored at least one run in each of the first six innings before sophomore reliever Derek Stokes (Anchorage, Alaska) shut down the Hustlin’ Owls’ bats over the final three innings.  Stokes, who took over for freshman starter Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) and junior reliever Zeke Clayton (Myrtle Creek, Ore.), stopped a scoring streak of 10 straight innings that began in the 4th inning of Game #1.

Nelson and freshman Rondie Taylor (Clackamas, Ore.) each collected 2 hits, while sophomores Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) and Justin Trammell (Salem, Ore.) scored 2 runs each.

Braun threw the first 5.0 innings, allowing 8 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits, while Clayton pitched the 6th inning and allowed 3 runs (all earned) on 4 hits.  Stokes finished the game allowing only 1 hit and struck out 1 Owl batter.

Corban is now 6-18 overall, 1-13 in NAIA Region I action.  Oregon Tech improves to 9-12 overall, 5-7 in NAIA Region I play.  The same two teams meet again on Thursday, April 6th, when they match up in a single game beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Salem.