CALDWELL, Idaho – Despite a 3-hit day from
Kirby Robertson, The College of Idaho could not overcome a 15-hit attack from rival Northwest Nazarene, as the Nighthawks took Game 1 of a 4-game weekend series with an 11-2 decision at Wolfe Field.
NNU (3-6) snapped a 5-game losing streak with the win, with C of I seeing their 5-game win streak go by the wayside.
The Nighthawks batted around for five ninth inning runs to break open a 6-2 lead, as lefty Kyle Ethridge earned the win, striking out nine in seven-plus innings of work.
The visitors scored single runs in the opening two innings – as Grant Kerry lifted a sacrifice fly and Duke Pahukoa smashed a solo home run.
The Yotes (9-4) looked to answer in the second, as
Tristen Garland reached on an error and Robertson doubled. However, Ethridge struck out the side to end the threat.
The lead would grow to 6-0 in the eighth, before C of I made it interesting.
Ben Dudley led off with a single and
Ben Gaff walked. Two outs later,
Alex McFarland-Smith ripped a 2-run single to cut into the NNU deficit.
However, the Nighthawks would answer in the ninth, with Hayden Keller providing the big blow, launching a 3-run home run.
Dimick Wood took the loss for C of I, working into the seventh inning, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits.
Andrew Vaughn was solid in relief, tossing a scoreless eighth inning.
All nine starters for NNU had at least one hit, with Tyler Best and Kerry each posting 3-hit games.
Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. at Wolfe Field, before the teams shift to Nampa for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday.
