Knights beat Bells 6-2 to sweep home series before Sunday crowd of 733.
June 21, 2009
Corvallis infielder Doug Cherry (pictured) of Washington went 3 for 5 with two doubles as the Knights collected a season-high 14 hits.
University of Portland starting pitcher Kyle Kraus got plenty of run support Sunday evening to record his second win of the young season as the Knights beat Bellingham 6-2 and swept the three-game set at Goss Stadium.
In front of a crowd of 733, the Knights kept the Bells from recording a multi-run inning in the top of the first when with two outs Bellingham catcher Mike Chiarelli of doubled to left with runners at first and second scoring one, but the second runner was cut down at the plate as OSU leftfielder Brent Warren's throw was relayed perfectly by future UNLV shortstop Richie Jimenez to future OSU catcher Andrew Susac who applied a nifty tag at the plate to record the inning's third out.
Corvallis then responded in the bottom of the frame with a lead-off single by Doug Cherry that was followed by back-to-back singles by Dylan Jones and Taylor Ard of Mt. Hood CC to load the bases for junior third baseman Billy Clontz of Western Oregon.
"I came in this summer and focused on my pitch selection," Cherry said. "I was very aggressive in the past and was swinging at pitches I wouldn't necessarily like to swing at. I've been working at eliminating that and have been doing a good job of taking those borderline pitches."
With the sacks juiced, Clontz grounded to third and reached safely on an error scoring the Knights' first run. Jimenez followed with a sacrifice fly. Then with two outs, Warren singled to left scoring Ard putting Corvallis up 3-1.
Kraus shutdown the Bells for the next few innings and Corvallis added to its lead in the 4th-inning when with one out Susac walked and scored on a triple to right-center by sophomore outfielder John Desmarais of Washington State.
Bellingham pulled within two runs with a run in the sixth when with two outs Kraus gave up a walk, single and an RBI single by Beau Brett of USC.
Corvallis answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the frame as with two outs Desmarais walked and scored easily on Cherry's second double of the game.
"It felt good," Cherry said. "I've been working out and trying to let the ball get deeper so I can use my legs more."
In the seventh Gonzaga-bound Liam Baron took over for Kraus and shutout the Bells for the next two innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, Corvallis scored its final run on a two-out RBI single by Warren.
Closer Steve Kalush of Santa Clara finished for the second consecutive night and blanked Bellingham in the ninth.
Warren went 3-for-4 with two RBI, Jimenez went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Jones collected 2 hits.
The Knights starting rotation turned in its ninth straight quality start.
With the victory, Corvallis improved its division leading record to 8-3.
The defense made several spectacular plays including a couple web gems by Dylan Jones in his first start at first base. Corvallis made only one error in the series after committing no errors in its series at Kitsap earlier in the week.
Corvallis takes a break from league play for the next four home dates.
The Knights play the WCL Portland Dukes on Monday night, the team's first Miser Monday. Game time is 6:35 pm.
Catch the entire season on KEJO 1240 AM as Mike Parker, the voice of the Knights, calls all the action.
Knights complete sweep of the Bells by Brooks Hatch, Gazette-Times
