PHOENIX, Ariz. -
Zach Draper tossed six strong innings and the College of Idaho used a two-run seventh inning rally to defeat Arizona Christian, 4-2, in the season opening game for both teams at Firestorm Field.
Box ScoreThe victory for the Yotes (1-0) extended their win streak in season openers to five.
Draper allowed just three hits and struck out five batters to pick up a win in his C of I debut. The only blemish was a third inning two-run single from Christopher Burks to give the Firestorm (0-1) a 2-0 lead.
C of I chipped away at the deficit, as
Mitch Skaggs led off the fourth with a double and scored an out later when
Bobby Wright doubled down the left field line. In the sixth, Skaggs gapped a leadoff triple and trotted home on a sacrifice fly from
Jake Hennessey to tie the score. The Yotes took the lead for good an inning later on a
Hunter Hanson RBI double and adding an insurance run on a Hennessey bases loaded walk.
The bullpen did the rest, as true freshman
Niall Manning tossed two scoreless innings and Wright worked around a one-out single to notch the save.
The Yotes outhit ACU 6-5 and played flawless defense in the win. Skaggs was 2-for-4 and Hanson was 2-for-5 to lead the C of I attack.
Game 2 of the four-game series is tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
