CCC Baseball: NAIA's No. 25 Ranked Coyotes Take Two From Corban

With the losses, Corban is now 10-21-1 overall.

Corban's Jeremy Frantz pulls a pitch foul. Photo: Kevin Hays

SALEM - Freshman Matt Schmidt went a combined 2-for-4 on Saturday, as Corban’s baseball team dropped a Cascade Collegiate Conference double-header to the NAIA’s No. 25-ranked Coyotes of Albertson, 9-0 & 6-0, at Warrior Field.

In the opener, Corban junior Jordan Emery began the game hitting two of the first three batters before allowing a 2-run double to the ‘Yotes Adam Roach for the only scoring in the opening inning.

To open the second frame, Emery plunked the first two batters before allowing a bunt single to Albertson’s Kent Bradshaw, which loaded the bases.

One batter later, the ‘Yotes’ Pat Burke connected on his first home run of the season – a grand slam to left field – that handed the visiting Albertson squad a quick six-run lead (6-0) and seemed to put the game out of reach.

Over the final five-plus innings though, Emery settled down and allowed only three runs on four hits en route to securing his team-leading second complete game of the season.

The right-hander went the distance, allowing 9 runs (8 earned) on 10 hits with a game-high tying two strikeouts.

At the plate, Schmidt, senior Ryan Heil, and senior Brett Timmerman were the only Warriors to record hits, as Schmidt went a perfect 1-for-1 in his lone pinch-hitting appearance.

For Albertson, Bradshaw led the ‘Yotes’ bats with a 3-for-4 performance that included one run scored.

Meanwhile, Roach and Burke went a combined 4-for-5 with two runs scored and seven RBIs.

On the mound, starter Andrew Brock went the first 6.0 innings, allowing a mere two hits with a game-high tying two strikeouts before turning the ball over to reliever Richie Snider, who moved from his designated hitter position, for the final inning.

In the night cap, Timmerman climbed up on the mound and held the Coyotes to a mere run over the first five innings before the Albertson bats exploded for four runs in the top of the sixth inning.

With the visiting ‘Yotes clinging to a slim one-run lead (1-0), Albertson got Burke to lead off the sixth inning with a walk before Casey Oliver deposited his team-leading fifth home run of the season into Corban’s bull pen just beyond the left field fence.

Two batters later, Dane McGrady brought home the Coyotes’ final run of the inning via a single to left field that scored pinch hitter Bryan Champ, who reach base via a hit by pitch.

One inning later, Albertson put the final run of the day on the board when Roach ground out to second base with runners on second and third, allowing Burke to score his game-high third run of the game.

Four Warriors – Schmidt, senior Jeremy Frantz, junior Scott Flux, and freshman Zack James – recorded a hit each off Albertson pitching, as James has gone a perfect 3-for-3 this week in two games.

On the hill, Timmerman went the first 5.0 innings, allowing 3 runs (all earned) on 2 hits with a game-high four strikeouts before handing the ball over to senior reliever Scott Fitchett for the final 3.0 innings.

Fitchett allowed 3 runs (all earned) on 3 hits, while fanning a pair of Coyote hitters.

Albertson’s Oliver turned in a perfect 3-for-3 performance in the night cap with a run scored and two RBIs, while Burke and McGrady were the only other Coyotes to record hits off Warrior pitching.

Starter Carson Taysom pitched the first 6.0 inning for the ‘Yotes, allowing three hits with a team-best two strikeouts. A trio of relievers – Pat Lyon, Tim Bourner, and Joey Zubizarreta – closed out the game for Albertson with a combined one-hit performance.

On the afternoon, Schmidt was the lone Warrior to record more than one hit thanks to a combined 2-for-4 performance.

Five other Corban players registered a hit each in the twin bill setbacks.

With the losses, Corban is now 10-21-1 overall, 4-13 in Region I play.

Albertson improves to 21-10 on the season, 11-7 in Region I action.

The Warriors will return to the field on Tuesday, April 10th, when they host NCAA Division III member George Fox beginning at 4:00 PM at Warrior Field

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports