KEIZER, Ore. – A 4-run ninth inning rally in Game 1 wasn't enough for The College of Idaho, as the Yotes dropped both ends of a rainy doubleheader with Corban University at Volcanoes Stadium.
C of I (9-10) pulled even with late inning heroics in the opener, but Kyle Clay ended the game abruptly with a walkoff home in the bottom of the ninth for an 8-7 Corban win, with the hosts rallying in Game 2 to complete the sweep with a 7-3 victory.
The Yotes took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opener – as
Alex McFarland-Smith roped an RBI single and
Tristen Garland added an RBI double. The Warriors (9-4-1) countered, building a 7-3 lead after a three-run first, a two-run fifth and a Keenan O'Brien two-run eighth inning double.
Down to their final three outs, C of I loaded the bases with no outs, with
Jonah Hultberg following with a bases loaded walk.
Skyler Sadora placed a run with an RBI fielders' choice to cut the margin to 7-5. The Yotes added a run when
Ben Hansen scored from third after Sadora was caught in a run down between first and second. McFarland-Smith singled and scored when a throwing error on a
Tanner Leaf grounder went down the right field line.
Unfortunately, Clay hit the third pitch of the ninth over the short porch in left field to give the hosts the win.
Hultberg and McFarland-Smith each had three hits, with Garland and
Ben Dudley each adding a pair of knocks.
Andrew Vaughn tossed four innings of three-hit relief, allowing just two runs and striking out five, with
Tanner Keener tossing two scoreless frames.
Playing in a downpour in Game 2, the Yotes took a 3-1 lead in the third on
Ryan Blokker's first career home run. The Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, as Estenio Sede cleared the bases with a 2-out double, with Corban adding to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings – before the weather ended the game early.
Nate Martin earned the win for Corban, striking out five, while
Ben Gaff and
Kirby Robertson combined to strike out 10 batters for the Yotes in a losing effort.
C of I returns home next weekend for a 4-game non-conference series vs. Eastern Oregon.
