Corvallis drops series finale 2-1 at Bellingham.

Washington frosh Alex Nesbitt (pictured) was solid in his first start for the Knights, but Corvallis could not solve Chico State's Nick Baker and lost tonight's rubber game at Joe Martin Field.

Nesbitt tossed five innings allowing four hits and one run. He was relieved in the sixth by Corvallis closer Jorge Perez of Grand Canyon. Perez gave up a lead-off double to Ryan Yamane of Northern Colorado in the sixth and after recording the next two outs Yamane advanced to third on a passed ball by Knights' catcher Chris Rabago (arguably a wild pitch) and then scored on a wild pitch by Perez. The unearned run proved to be the difference as Corvallis was stuffed by Bells' starter Nick Baker of Chico State.

Perez suffered the hard-luck loss.

Baker twirled a complete game and only allowed five hits and a run. And kept the first third of the order in check as the Knights' 1-3 batters went a combined 0-for-12.

Corvallis scored its only run in the fifth as Kevin Kline singled to open the inning, advanced to third on a single by Seth Heck and scored on a Rabago sacrifice fly. That was it for the Knights.

With the loss, the Knights drop to 21-15 and are now tied for first place in the South with Bend (20-14). Bellingham's series win evened the regular-season series at 3-3. All three losses to the Bells were by one run, and 10 of the Knights' 15 losses this summer have been by one run, with four of the team's losses being by two runs with only one loss greater than three runs (at Medford on June 18, 7-1).

The Corvallis Knights return to Goss Stadium tomorrow to face the Mid-Valley Rockets in a non-league game. First pitch is 6:40 pm. It's a Block 15 Thursday and Country Financial is giving away mini bats to the first 250 kids through the gates. And hot dogs are $1 at tomorrow night's game.

Thursday's probable starter is Oregon's Jared Priestley. The frosh right-hander is 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA over 8 innings pitched in both WCL and non-league action.