Heil registers three hits in opening loss to Hustlin' Owls
April 20, 2007
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Senior Ryan Heil went 3-for-5 with a RBI today in leading the Warriors in a close game against the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech. (Photo courtesy of Josh Randolph) |
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Senior Ryan Heil (Medford, Ore.) turned in a 3-for-5 performance at the plate with a RBI, but Corban's baseball team dropped the opening game of its three-game series, 6-5, to the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech on Friday at Leo J. Bocchi Field.
OIT took initial control of the game by scoring four runs on six hits in the first two innings, but the Warrior's starting pitcher -- sophomore Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) -- buckled down and pitched three consecutive shutout innings. This gave time for Corban's offense to cut the Owls' lead to two (4-2) and get on the scoreboard in the fifth inning.
Senior Kyle Myers (Canyon City, Ore.) led off the fifth with a single to right center and advanced to third when an Oregon Tech error allowed the following batter -- junior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) -- to make it safely to first base. Sophomore Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.) knocked in Myers on the next at bat when he grounded out to the shortstop and Heil brought home McGraw shortly after on a single up the middle.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Warriors put their bats back to work when both freshman Josh Warner (Independence, Ore.) and junior Darren Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.) reached base on singles. After stealing third base, Warner made his way home on a Myers' RBI that brought the visitors to within one run (4-3).
Oregon Tech extended its lead in the bottom of the sixth when shortstop Christ Curtis hit a two-run homer that brought in his teammate Phil Ouelette, but the visiting Warriors continued to pressure the host squad and eventually recorded their two final runs in the eighth inning. McGraw recorded a RBI via a walk with the bases loaded that allowed Warner to touch home plate for the second time of the game. The very next batter -- Spicer -- reached on a fielder's choice, but the Warriors' Myers got caught in a run-down that allowed junior Doug Gausepohl (Murrieta, Calif.) to make it safely home before the final out of the inning was recorded.
Heil's work in the batter's box led Corban and Warner's 2-for-4 performance in the batter's box was also commendable. Braun found himself on top the mound for 5.1 innings, while striking out one Owl and giving up just six runs (five earned) on 11 hits, despite being handed the loss. Senior Zeke Clayton (Myrtle Creek, Ore.) relieved Braun for 0.2 innings and sophomore Brandon Wolters (Gresham, Ore.) pitched the final two innings, fanning one batter and allowing just two hits.
The Hustlin' Owls were led by Curtis' 4-for-5 hitting performance and four RBIs, while his teammate Ruben Baca closely trailed having hit 3-for-3. Oregon Tech's pitching staff recorded eight strikeouts by starter Casey Burton, who allowed five runs (one earned) on 10 hits in 7.1 innings of work. OIT's Ryan Henry walked two Corban batters in his 0.1 innings on the mound and Kevin Huntley recorded the save for the Owls by finishing the final 1.1 innings.
Corban's record dropped to 4-17 in Region 1 action, 10-27-1 overall. Meanwhile, Oregon Tech progressed to 4-18 in Region 1 play, 6-23 on the season. The Warriors will look to avenge themselves tomorrow -- Saturday, April 21st -- when they meet the Hustlin' Owls back at Leo J. Bocchi Field for a double header beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Story written by James Young, Corban Sports Information Intern
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