SALEM, Ore. – Central Washington University baseball (2-7) dropped both ends of its doubleheader with Corban University (Ore.) (4-10), 6-5 in game one and 4-0 in game two.

Quotable
"I thought we did a good job in game one of making the most of our chances on offense," CWU Head Coach Desi Storey said afterward.  "Brayde went out and gave us a quality start.  It's always unfortunate when your starter gives you a quality start and you can't get him the W.  In game two, we weren't consistent enough on offense.  We had some chances and couldn't get anyone around."

Game 1
Defense was the theme in the first three innings of play in game one as the two squads were locked in a scoreless bout. The Wildcats' bats got a hit in each of the three frames and held Corban to just one, before finally getting on the board in the fourth.

Trevor Tripoli drew a hit by pitch to leadoff the fourth. He got to second on a wild pitch before Mitch Lesmeister scored him with an RBI double to make it 1-0. The lead grew to 2-0 on Austin Ohland's double to score Cameron McGrath before Corban closed the top half of the frame.

Brayde Hirai got the starting nod on the hill in game one. He was solid in the first four frames of work allowing just two hits. He had just one strikeout through that span but he and the Wildcat defense also work back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to help keep Corban's bat at bay.

Central looked to build on its lead in the fifth but managed just one hit. The Warriors' bats came to life in the fifth as they tied the game. A leadoff single got one runner on before a two-run shot by Dakota Fingar knotted the game at a 2-all tie.

The Wildcats had a chance to open up in the top of the sixth as they loaded the bases. Corban managed to surrender just two runs in the outing as CWU retook the lead, 4-2. Derek Lohr scored the first run on a fielder's choice by the Warrior defense for the RBI.

The second run of the sixth was unearned for the CWU. An error by Warriors pitcher Zach Filos allowed Jaden Hassell to cross home plate to make it a two-score lead for the Crimson and Black. Hirai and the defense had one error in the bottom of the stanza but kept the score at 4-2.

CWU threatened to add another run in the seventh when Michael Copeland got to third but Corban kept him there. The Warriors managed to load the bases in the bottom of the frame on a pair of singles and a walk. Hirai held composure though and escaped the jam.

Central's lead unravelled in the eighth.  A lead-off bunt single was followed by a hit by pitch.  The Warriors loaded the bases with a single to left and no outs.  With one swing of the bat, Kairos Torres-Umi put the Warriors ahead by two.  He launched a grand slam for a 6-4 lead.  

The Crimson and Black mounted a comeback bid in the top of the ninth.  Jake Tilley roped a one-out double to center and was lifted for pinch runner Luke Smith.  Justin Hampson lifted a two-out double to left center, driving around Smith from second and cut the Warriors' lead to one.  Hampson's RBI-double chased Zach Filos from the game, as Corban handed Jacob Bowser the ball with two away.  He managed to produce a soft grounder back to the mound to seal the victory.

Game 2
Dillon Larsen (0-2) got the call in the second game of the twin-bill.  He hurled six innings and allowed two hits, three earned runs, two walks, and he struck out 10.

The Wildcats managed eight hits, but did not manage to find a way to scratch across a run.  

Corban's offense found the board in the second inning.  A two-out walk put Torres-Umi on first.  He advanced to second on a balk and came around to score on a two-run homerun by Fingar.  

The Warriors scored again in the third.  Jared Bell was plunked by a pitch to open the inning.  He proceeded to steal both second and third, before scoring on a wild pitch.

Both offenses went quiet after the third inning.  Central managed a few baserunners, but the Warriors' pitching stymied any offensive production.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, JJ Asinas took over for Larsen on the bump.  The first batter he faced reached on a hit by pitch and advanced to third, courtesy of two wild pitches.  Asinas retired Brendan Yawn by way of the strikeout, but Bell laced a single back up the middle to score the Warriors' fourth run of the game.

Central Washington threatened with a pair of runners in the top of the eighth inning.  A single from Lesmeister put runners on the corners with one out, but Jacob Asa worked his way out of the jam.  He sent the Wildcats down in order in the top of the ninth.

Up Next
The Wildcats play a single nine-inning game tomorrow (Feb. 15) against Corban.  First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.