Warriors drop pair to 'Yotes in final two road games
April 26, 2008
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Senior Daniel Flores cranked his team-leading fourth home run of the season in today's opener, as Corban fell in its final road game of the season to The College of Idaho. (Photo courtesy of Mike Howden, Corban baseball photographer)
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CALDWELL, Idaho – Despite a 4-for-5 performance with four RBIs by senior Daniel Flores (San Jose, Calif.) in today's opener, Corban's baseball team dropped both games of the doubleheader to The College of Idaho, 19-14 & 16-1, to close out its road schedule Saturday at Simplot Stadium.
Having already watched as the 'Yotes captured their fourth straight conference title yesterday, Corban attempted to earn a split in its final regular season road doubleheader this year.
Game #1 - The College of Idaho 19, Corban 14
For the second day in a row, Corban watched as The College of Idaho built an early lead scoring the game's opening 13 runs over the first four innings.
In the top of the fourth, the visiting Warriors attempted to cut into the 'Yotes' lead by putting eight runs on the board. Sophomore Josh Warner (Independence, Ore.) led off the inning reaching via a fielding error by C of I's shortstop. One batter later, senior Darren Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.) advanced everyone ninety feet when he reached via a fielder's choice before everyone advanced another ninety feet on the 'Yotes' second error of the inning. Following a walk by senior Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.), sophomore Mitch Riddle (Pullman, Wash.) roped a two-run double down the left field line that scored both Johnson and Warner. The very next batter -- junior Craig Spicer (Vancouver, Wash.) -- singled up the middle to bring home McGraw and Riddle, which pulled Corban within nine runs (13-4). One batter later, senior Scott Flux (Salem, Ore.) singled down the left field line to bring home Spicer before Warner walked with the bases loaded in his second at-bat of the inning to plate the Warriors' sixth run of the frame. Corban's final two runs of the inning came, as C of I's second baseman dropped an infield pop-fly that plated two runs to pull the Warriors' within five runs (13-8).
The College of Idaho pushes its lead to six (14-8) in the bottom of the fourth, as Cody Brubaker stroked a one-run double to center field that plated Brad Carlsen.
Trailing by six runs, Corban scored four runs in the top of the sixth highlighted by Flores' fourth home run of the season -- a three-run shot to left field. Warner's single to short brought home the Warriors' final run of the inning, allowing Flux to score from third and pull Corban within two runs (14-12).
After holding C of I scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, Corban plated another run in the top of the seventh when Flores registered his fourth RBI of the game via a single to left field that scored Johnson and pulled the visiting team within a mere run (14-13).
Knowing that the 'Yotes were within striking distance, Corban fell victim to five runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh as The College of Idaho built an insurmountable six-run lead (19-13) heading into the final two innings.
In the eighth, Corban scored one run as McGraw plated Warner following the 'Yotes' sixth and final error of the opener. Unfortunately, it was too-little, too-late for the Warriors, as C of I's pitching staff shut down Corban over the final four outs to preserve the victory.
Flores led Corban offensively with a 4-for-5 performance with two runs scored and four RBIs, while Spicer and freshman Kyle Taylor (Clackamas, Ore.) each registered three hits.
On the mound, junior Jason Braun (Dallas, Ore.) went the opening 3.0 innings allowing 11 runs (all earned) on 11 hits to go along with a game-high tying two strikeouts. Junior Brandon Wolters (Gresham, Ore.) and freshman Kyle Lamson (Medford, Ore.) came in for the game's final 5.0 innings, allowing a combined eight runs (all earned) on eight hits.
The College of Idaho was led offensively by Brubaker and Matt Mejia, who each tallied four hits to go along with Carlsen's 3-for-5 performance that included five runs scored and three runs batted in.
Joey Zubizarreta pitched the first 5.0 inning for The College of Idaho, allowing eight unearned runs on seven hits before turning the ball over to a trio of 'Yote relievers. Chris Larsen and Matt Greeley faced a combined five batters in the sixth inning without recording an out before Andrew Brock came in for the game's final four innings en route to earning his first save of the season.
Game #2 - The College of Idaho 16, Corban 1
In the night cap, The College of Idaho scored the game's first 12 runs before Corban got on the board in the top of the sixth inning.
In the Warriors' next-to-last at-bat, freshman Nathan Hickok (Sherwood, Ore.) singled down the left field line to bring home senior Justin Trammell (Salem, Ore.) for Corban's lone run of the finale.
C of I plated four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to cap the game's scoring, as the host 'Yotes scored a combined 35 runs on the afternoon.
Corban was led offensively in the night cap by Trammell, who turned in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate to go along with four other Warriors -- freshman Nate Hiebert (Lebanon, Ore.), freshman Taylor Wyatt (Dallas, Ore.), sophomore Matt Schmidt (Corvallis, Ore.), and Hickok -- who each registered a hit for Corban.
On the mound, freshman Chris Trammell (Salem, Ore.), Spicer, and Warner each pitched 2.0 innings. Trammell opened the game on the hill, allowing nine runs (all earned) on five hits, while Spicer and Warner combined to allow seven runs (all earned) on 11 hits.
Offensively, six different 'Yotes registered two hits each to go along with a quartet of C of I players that tallied a hit each. Pitching-wise for The College of Idaho, seven different 'Yotes pitched an inning each as the pitching staff allowed a combined one earned run on six hits.
With the losses, Corban falls 9-29 overall, 6-16 in NAIA Region I play. Meanwhile, The College of Idaho pushes its record at 24-22 overall and moves to 16-6 in NAIA Region I action. The Warriors will return to the diamond on Friday, May 2nd, when they host conference rival Concordia beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Warrior Field.
NOTE: Before the single nine-inning game between the Warriors and Cavaliers, Corban's baseball program will be honoring eight players that will be donning the navy and gold for the final time in the Capitol City.
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