Knights blank Elks 4-0, capture fifth series in a row.

Lefty starter Andrew Naderer (pictured) allowed just two hits over four innings and four other pitchers completed the shutout as Corvallis topped host Bend 4-0 on Thursday to win their series 2-1.

A rising sophmore at Grand Canyon University who is on restricted duty due to a heavy workload this spring, Naderer threw 29 strikes in 42 pitches, struck out three and did not issue a walk. He could not get the victory, however, as he didn't go the required five innings.

The win instead went to Oregon sophomore-to-be Jared Priestley, who evened his record at 1-1 with a scoreless fifth inning. Pacific Lutheran junior-to-be Chris Bishop added three scoreless innings and Washington signee Brandon Choate of Tacoma CC closed out the Elks in the ninth.

It was the second combined shutout of the summer for the Knights (13-9 overall, 12-9 WCL), and their fifth consecutive series win. They are 10-4 in the WCL following a 2-5 start that left them in last place in the six-team South Division.

Corvallis now trails first-place Bend (13-8) by just one game in the division race. The Knights are tied for second with Klamath Falls.

Corvallis took a 1-0 lead in the first on a double by catcher Chris Rabago and an RBI single by infielder Peter Van Gansen. They added three more in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Joe Duffin and a two-out, two-run throwing error.

The Elks (13-8) had two runners on base in each of the last four innings, but could not cash in. They stranded nine baserunners overall.

The Knights open a three-game series with the Kitsap BlueJackets at 6:35 p.m. Friday at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Silverdale, Wash. Right-hander Jacob Schroeder (1-0, 2.45) is their scheduled starter.