TEMPE, Ariz. – The College of Idaho continued its strong opening weekend with back-to-back wins over Park–Gilbert on Saturday, earning an 8–2 victory in Game 2 of the series before powering to an 11–6 win in Game 3. Behind consistent offensive production, aggressive baserunning and timely pitching, the Yotes improved to 3–0 on the young season. The four-game series concludes tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. MT.
In the first game of the day, The College of Idaho used an 11-hit attack to pull away late from Park–Gilbert. The Yotes trailed 1–0 after the opening inning but responded with two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take control.
Evan Brown went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while
Darren Smith added a 3-for-4 performance that included a sacrifice fly and three RBI.
Jace Mahlke sparked the offense with a three-hit effort, scoring twice and driving in a run.
Cody Guy recorded two RBI, and
James Hull added a key RBI during the eighth-inning rally. On the mound,
Zaylor Bruegeman,
Caden Campa and
Heath Sasser-Gunson combined to hold Park to two runs on six hits.
Campa earned the win with three scoreless innings in relief, and Sasser-Gunson collected the save with four strikeouts over the final three frames.
The Yotes' offense stayed hot in the afternoon matchup, scoring four runs in the fourth and posting a five-run seventh to pull away in an 11–6 victory. Brown again led the charge, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a pair of run-scoring singles.
Jack Ryan reached base four times, delivering two hits and launching a three-run home run in the seventh to break the game open.
Darren Smith scored three times and collected two hits, while
Caden Casagrande reached base four times out of the designated hitter spot.
Logan Dreher drove in a run and played a role in two scoring sequences. The Yotes capitalized on Park–Gilbert miscues, scoring twice on a passed ball and wild pitch during the fourth and eighth innings.
On the mound,
Grant Jakobson,
Daniel Kormylo,
Patrick Gaffney,
Willy Shirts and
Calvin Euper pieced together the victory before
Luca Quilici shut the door with a three-inning save, allowing just one run and striking out three.
The College of Idaho looks to complete the series sweep tomorrow at Tempe Diablo Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT.
