CALDWELL, Idaho – Despite four hits and four stolen bases from
Austin Van Horne, the College of Idaho dropped the opening two games of a four-game weekend series with Simpson University at Wolfe Field.
The Redhawks (5-9) used a two-run eighth to earn a 3-1 win in Game 1, while rallied with three runs in the ninth and three more runs in the tenth to steal Game 2, 12-9.
The opener was a pitchers' duel between the Coyotes (3-12)
Dimick Wood and SU's Damien Awai. Both right-handers gave up fifth inning runs – including a
Jonah Hultberg RBI double that tied the game at 1-1. In the eighth, Austen Salcedo slapped an RBI single to left to break the tie, with Daniel Chavez following with a solo homer to provide insurance.
Awai fanned 10 batters in seven innings to earn the win, with Walter Frayne earning a two inning save. Wood went seven-plus innings, striking out eight, in the loss. Both Hultberg and
Ryan Nolan had two hits for the Coyotes.
In Game 2, C of I had leads of 5-0 and 9-6 – but could not close the door on the Redhawks.
The hosts batted around in the first – getting RBI singles from
Anthony Pannullo,
Jake Denison and Van Horne, along with a 2-run double from
Matthew Clay – part of a 5-run frame.
After SU cut the margin to 5-4 in the fourth and loaded the bases with no outs –
Jared Bowman worked out of the jam thanks to a double play ball and a fly out. The righty worked three strong innings of relief and
Nick Kindred added two innings from the pen – helping the Coyotes take a 3-run lead to the ninth.
However, the Redhawks answered with one swing, a Christopher Brue long 3-run homer to force extra innings, with SU scoring three times in the tenth – the big blast a 2-run double from Michael Driscoll.
Van Horne went 3-for-5 in the loss, with Hultberg extending his hit streak to 11 with a seventh inning 2-run double.
The two teams close out the series tomorrow with an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
