CALDWELL, Idaho - A College of Idaho five-run ninth inning rally in Game 2 came up short, as the Coyotes settled for a doubleheader split with Corban University at Wolfe Field, winning the opener, 6-4, but dropping the late game, 9-8.
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
Jesse Dodd went 6-for-9 in the twin bill, driving in three runs, while Jake Hennessey added three RBI for the Coyotes (11-9, 6-2 NAIA West) - who remain among the leaders in the NAIA West Grouping.
In Game 2, Dodd got the Yotes on the board with an RBI double in the first inning to stake the hosts to a 1-0 lead. However, the Warriors (13-7, 4-4) batted around in the second, plating five runs - the big blow a Marc Gallegos two-run single.
The C of I would trail 9-3 heading into the ninth, but found some two-out magic - as Joe Roseberry scored on a wild pitch, Jarel Lewis lined an RBI double, Hennessey punched a ball through the right side for an RBI single, and Gregg Simonds singled home a pair to get the Yotes within a run. However, Ransom Storm struck out Parker Vernon, representing the winning run, with a nasty split-fingered fastball to end the game.
Gallegos went 3-for-5 with four RBI and Jordan Johansen went 3-for-4 for the Warriors, part of an 18 hit attack. Daniel Gober went five innings, striking out five for the win. Lewis had four hits and Dodd added three for the Yotes, with reliever Brady Winfield tossing three-plus innings of scoreless relief to keep C of I in the game.
The opener saw Corban commit five errors that led to three unearned runs - the difference in the contest. With Lewis at first and two outs in the opening frame, Dodd lifted a sky high fly ball to center that Andy Hill dropped in the windy conditions, allowing a run to score. Hennessey followed with a blooper into left-center that eluded four Warrior fielders, ended as an RBI double and a 2-0 led.
Leading 3-2 in the fifth, the Yotes got three key insurance runs - as Lewis roped an RBI single through the left side, Dodd tripled to the right-center gap, and Hennessey delivered him with a sacrifice fly.
It was enough for Vernon, who struck out five in a complete game effort for his third win. Dodd went 2-for-4 in the victory for the Yotes. Derek Legg went 2-for-4 for Corban, with starter Jacob Kopra allowing eight hits in the loss.
The C of I returns to action next weekend with a four-game series against Puget Sound.
