Bats Come to Life as Corban Rocks Pacific, 11-4

With the win, Corban improves to 3-6 on the season while Pacific falls to 2-5.

Senior Daniel Flores recorded a career-high four hits, including three RBI, in helping the Warriors get back on the winning track Tuesday against Pacific. Photo courtesy: Corban Sports Information

SALEM, Ore. - Senior Daniel Flores led the Warriors' offensive attack with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate that included three RBI, as Corban's baseball team amassed 16 hits in an 11-4 victory over NCAA Division III member Pacific Tuesday on Warrior Field.

The Warriors’ bats came to life as freshman Nate Hiebert, junior Craig Spicer, and senior Jamie McGraw all recorded multiple hits on the afternoon. Along with Flores RBI output, Hiebert and Spicer collected two RBI on three hits each to go along with senior Scott Flux who earned one RBI on one hit. McGraw rounded everything out, as the senior lead off hitter finished with two hits and three runs scored.

Spicer jump-started the game’s scoring with an RBI single in the 4th inning that drove in McGraw. Flores followed with a single before Flux drove Spicer in from 2nd base for the RBI. Flores scored on an error to give the Warriors three runs in the inning on five hits.

Pacific got on the board in the 5th inning as Nick McNeely tripled to right center field and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Yost.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Hiebert began the Warriors' scoring with a RBI single to drive in freshman Nathan Hickok from third. The very next batter -- Spicer -- hit a double to drive in Hiebert from first base before Flores capped the scoring with his second straight run-scoring hit via a single to drive in Spicer.

After a scoreless sixth inning, McGraw opened the bottom of the seventh inning with a triple down the right field line before Hiebert singled to right center to pick up the RBI, as McGraw crossed home plate. Flores hit a single to center field to score sophomore pinch-runner John Kazmierski following another Spicer single as Corban added another two runs on four hits.

In the 8th inning, Pacific's Jeff Johnston hit a double and later crossed home plate on a bases-loaded Matt Hendryx single. Corban senior reliever Jordan Emery proceeded to strike out the next batter to get out of the jam, as McNeely took strike three.

The Warriors added three unearned runs in the 8th inning to round out the home team’s scoring before the Boxers tallied two more runs (both unearned) in the top of the 9th inning for the final margin.

On the mound, the Warriors were lead by junior Brandon Wolters and junior Derek Stokes. Wolters, who started the game for the Warriors, recorded one strikeout while allowing no runs and three hits in 3.0 innings.

Stokes, who picked up his first win of the season, paced the Warriors in the 4th and 5th innings, allowing one earned run on one hit. The final four innings were pitched by committee, as sophomore Josh Warner, Hiebert, Emery, and junior Jason Braun each got in one inning of work.

Offensively, Pacific managed four runs on eleven hits as Korey Yost, Jordan Nakayama, and Jeff Johnson each recorded two hits for the Boxers. Pacific gave the ball to five different pitchers as Andrew Curtin, Tyler Fransen, and Daniel Wolfe each worked two innings. Fransen took the loss after giving up five hits and three runs (two earned) in the 3rd and 4th frames.

With the win, Corban improves to 3-6 on the season while Pacific falls to 2-5. Corban will take the field again on Friday when the Warriors host fellow Cascade Collegiate Conference member Oregon Tech in Region I play beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.

Source: Corban Sports Information

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