Box Score
CALDWELL, Idaho – Chase Miller and Sam Johnston each had three hits, helping The College of Idaho end a four-game losing streak, stopping Whitworth University, 6-5, at Wolfe Field.
The Coyotes (5-4) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after five innings and withstood a late inning rally by the Division III Pirates to win their home opener.
C of I strung together four straight two-out hits in the opening inning, with a Mitch Skaggs RBI double getting the Yotes on the board. Cole Mansanerez following with an RBI single up the middle, and Johnston capped the inning with an RBI double to right.
Miller made it 4-0 in the second with a sacrifice fly, with a two-out Johnston RBI single in the fifth making it 5-0.
The Pirates (2-3) rallied in the late innings, as Josh Davis hit a solo homer in the sixth, with the Bucs plating four runs in the eighth to get within 6-5. Nick Motsinger tripled in a run and Davis had an RBI double in the frame – but Kyle Garvin struck out Justin Liu with the tying run at third to end the threat.
Taylor Nicholson went seven-plus innings to log the win for the Yotes, with Garvin getting the final six outs for his first save. All nine starters had at least one hit for the Yotes, with Miller going 3-for-4 and Johnston 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Carson Blumenthal took the loss for WU, allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Gerhard Muelheims and Davis each had two hits for the Bucs.
The two teams continue the four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader scheduled for Noon.
