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CALDWELL, Idaho - The College of Idaho showcased grit and late-game execution Sunday at Wolfe Field, rallying to win a 6-5 conference thriller before closing the weekend with a 6-3 victory in the nonconference nightcap against Oregon Tech. After splitting yesterday's conference doubleheader, the Yotes secured the Cascade Collegiate Conference series two games to one with their dramatic comeback in Game 1.
Game 1 (Conference): Yotes 6, Oregon Tech 5
Oregon Tech's top bats struck early as the Hustlin' Owls built a 3-0 lead in the first inning. JoJo Roman opened the game with a single, and Andrew Sharp followed with a walk before Logan Macy added a second walk to load the bases. Thomas Smith then delivered a sharp double down the left-field line to score two and give OIT early control.
The Yotes responded explosively in the third inning. Logan Dreher singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error, setting up a rally that quickly ignited. Cody Guy punched a run-scoring single to left, and Austin Moon lifted a sacrifice fly to score James Hull. Moments later, Caden Casagrande turned the inning on its head with a towering two-run home run to put the Yotes ahead 4-3.
Oregon Tech countered in the fourth when Quinn Mickelson singled and Cal Pickhardt followed by driving a two-run homer to left, reclaiming the lead at 5-4. Mickelson was a steady force throughout the game, finishing with three hits, while Pickhardt's home run marked one of OIT's biggest swings of the day.
The College of Idaho bullpen stabilized the game, allowing the Yotes to claw back. In the seventh, Hull executed a bunt single to score Bryce Mahlke and tie the game 5-5. One inning later, Hull struck again with a sharp single to drive in Korbyn Nielsen for the go-ahead run. Daniel Kormylo shut down the Owls in the ninth to secure both the win and the conference series victory.
Hull finished the opener with three RBI while Casagrande and Guy added key offensive moments. Oregon Tech was paced by Mickelson's three hits, Smith's two RBI double, and Pickhardt's home run.
Game 2 (Nonconference): Yotes 6, Oregon Tech 3
The nightcap featured another strong showing from Oregon Tech's top contributors early, but the Yotes found answers each time. In the first inning, Andrew Sharp singled and Logan Macy doubled to set up the Owls' opening run, driven in on an RBI groundout by Jacob Cook.
The Yotes responded with precision. Bryce Mahlke singled and stole second before CJ Hunter ripped an RBI double to right. Skye Palmer followed with a run-scoring single that pushed the Yotes ahead 2-1.
Mahlke came through again in the second with an RBI single to score James Hull, extending the lead to 3-1. Oregon Tech tied the game in the fifth as Macy delivered a sacrifice fly to score JoJo Roman, and Mickelson added a run-scoring single, completing another productive day for two of OIT's most dangerous hitters. Roman finished with three hits in the nightcap and consistently set the table at the top of the lineup.
The Yotes answered immediately. Hunter again doubled to left center to bring home Jace Mahlke, and Palmer added another RBI single to right center, pushing the Yotes up 5-3. Palmer's four-hit performance anchored the attack, while Hunter finished with two doubles and two RBI.
Strong bullpen pitching carried the Yotes through the late innings. After Hunter Smith and Zaylor Bruegeman handled early work, Luca Quilici tossed a clean eighth to earn the win, and Jakob Cummins worked the ninth to lock up the save.
Up Next
The College of Idaho continues its homestand on March 14, hosting Bushnell University of Oregon at Wolfe Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT.
