Nelson extends streak to nine in loss to ‘Yotes of Albertson

April 29, 2006

BOX SCORE

Senior Brian Nelson registered a pair of hits in the final game of his career against Albertson to extend his hitting streak to nine games. In the three-game series, the 6-foot-3 first baseman went 8-for-12 with 6 RBIs.

SALEM, Ore. – Senior Brian Nelson (Lebanon, Ore.) extended his hitting streak to nine games with a 2-for-5 performance that included an RBI single in the 1st inning, but it was not enough as Corban’s baseball team dropped the finale of its three-game series, 10-5, to the Coyotes of Albertson College of Idaho today at Warrior Field.

The 6-foot-3 senior began his hitting streak on April 21st in the night cap against the University of British Columbia.  During the streak, Nelson is hitting .455 (15-for-33) with 2 doubles, 1 home run, 6 runs scored, and 10 runs batted in.  So far this season, the Lebanon High School graduate leads the team in hitting (.386), hits (59), doubles (10), home runs (6), runs batted in (36), total bases (87), and at-bats (153).

Despite the performance from its first baseman, Corban could not overcome a 4-run opening inning by the ‘Yotes, as sophomore starter Jordan Emery (Salem, Ore.) fell behind 3-0 before recording an out.  The 6-foot-3 right hander walked the first two batters and then hit Albertson’s third hitter before Nate Freese cleared the bases with a double to left center.  Following back-to-back fly outs, Ren Lombardo tacked on another run for the ‘Yotes with an RBI single to left field that scored Freese from second.

In its half of the 1st, Corban put a solo run on the board when Nelson singled home sophomore Jamie McGraw (Gaston, Ore.) from second with a single up the middle.  With runners on first and second and only one out, Albertson’s starting pitcher Jason Roach induced a double play ball to the shortstop to end the inning.

In the 2nd inning, Albertson put a pair of runs on the board thanks to three straight singles and a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Josh Przybos.

Following two scoreless innings, Albertson tacked on another three runs in the 5th inning on 2 hits – a double by Lombardo and a single by Greg Stalling.

The visiting ‘Yotes put up their final run in the 8th inning via a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Ryan Swanson that scored Stalling from third.

Corban put a pair of runs on the board in both the 8th and 9th innings, but it was too little, too late for the Warriors, as they got 5 of their 7 hits in the final two frames.

Emery went the first 4.0 innings for the Warriors, allowing 6 runs (all earned) on 7 hits, while striking out 3 ‘Yotes batters.  Juniors Bryan Bernard (Salem, Ore.) and Zeke Clayton (Myrtle Creek, Ore.) pitched 5.0 innings of relief and allowed 4 runs (all earned) on 3 hits.

Albertson’s Roach threw 7.0 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits before handing the ball over to relievers Pat Lyon and Paul Erickson for the final two innings.  The relief duo allowed 4 runs (all earned) on 4 hits.

Five Warriors picked up a single hit, as McGraw, junior Ryan Heil (Medford, Ore.), Nelson, sophomore Darren Johnson (Vancouver, Wash.), and sophomore Ryan Porter (Keizer, Ore.) each scored a run for Corban.

Albertson was paced by Stalling’s 3-for-4 performance with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI, while Freese and Lombardo each registered two hits on the afternoon.

With the loss, Corban is now 11-28 overall, 6-21 in Region I play. Albertson improves to 30-17 overall, 16-9 in Region I action. The Warriors are next in action on Friday, May 5th, when they square off against Eastern Oregon in a single game beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.