Knights move into first place in the West with 6-2 win over Kitsap.

Eric Massingham (pictured) of Cal Poly SLO stifled Kitsap's potent bats to earn the series opening win versus the BlueJackets at Taylor Field. Massingham took a one-hitter into the eighth before Kitsap rallied with two-out to score two runs off the right-hander from Benicia, California. Brad Kidd of BYU relieved Massingham and squelched Kitsap's rally and finished with a perfect ninth to preserve the Knights' win.

"It was good to get back on the mound," said Massingham. "I was throwing fastballs mostly and got good movement."

"I haven't pitched in a while (since July 22) because we have such a great starting staff of pitchers," said the junior-to be at Cal Poly. "But I like to get out there as much as I can."

With the victory, Corvallis moves into sole possession of first place in the West. They lead Kitsap by one game and Bend by 3 1/2 games. Corvallis has won five straight at home and improved their overall record to 33-15 and league mark to 24-13.

The Knights offense stayed hot as Corvallis collected 14 hits vs. the Jackets. Outfielder Matt Wyckoff of George Fox went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and 2 RBI. First baseman Jim Murphy of WSU went 3 for 5 with a RBI. Brett Casey of OSU collected two bunt base hits and catcher Rocky Gale of University of Portland went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

"I felt like I was seeing the ball really well," said Matt Wyckoff. "It helps when your team has good pitching and I think we hit a team high with 14 hits tonight."

The Knights and BlueJackets play game two of the series Wednesday night at Goss Stadium. The scheduled starters are Ross Humes of Washington State for Kitsap and Blake Keitzman of Oregon State for the Knights.

Corvallis is expecting a big crowd on Wilson Motors Night.

If you can't make the game, be sure to tune into 990 AM The Legend to catch Mike Parker's play-by-play.