Kaplan fans seven in starting debut; Knights fall 4-0.

Starter Chase Kaplan (pictured) struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings but Corvallis fell 4-0 to Bellingham on Tuesday night before a record opening-night crowd of 1,540.

A lefty from Western Nevada JV via Hillsboro High School, Kaplan pitched into the fifth inning and trailed 1-0 when he was relieved. Two runners inherited by the bullpen eventually scored so he allowed three runs overall.

The Knights threatened early but could not break through in a rematch of the 2014 West Coast League Championship Series. They left the bases loaded in the first inning, had a runner thrown out at home to end the second, hit into two double plays and stranded nine overall, running their three-game total to 34.

Left fielder Emilio Alcantar, a 10-day signee from Linn-Benton CC, doubled and singled to lead the Knights' eight-hit attack off two Bellingham pitchers. Right fielder Henry Rondeau, another 10-day LBCC signee, reached safely three times on a single and two walks.

Relievers Jacob Musial (1) and Cory Nelson (2) combined for three shutout, hitless innings and three strikeouts to give the Knights 12 total punchouts. It was the first appearance of the summer for Nelson, a 10-day lefty signee from Pacific Lutheran.

Corvallis (2-3 all, 1-3 WCL) has lost three straight since an opening-night win at Bend. Bellingham (3-1 WCL) remained in first place in the West Division.

The series resumes at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday. The Knights' starter is righty Gary Steindorf of Western Oregon (0-0, 6.00); right-hander Hunter Haworth of Chico State is the probable for Bellingham. It's Holiday Inn Express Magnet Schedule Night; the first 1,000 fans will get a 2015 Corvallis Knights magnet schedule.

Tuesday's crowd of 1,540 upped the season attendance to 3,789 in two dates. That puts the Knights 183 fans ahead of last year's total through a corresponding number of home dates.