Knights beat Spokane 4-1 to win series, extend franchise-best winning streak to 15 games.
June 30, 2009
Junior pitcher Steve Kalush (pictured) of Santa Clara earned the win in his first start as a Knight.
After closing in his first five appearances, Kalush debuted as a starter throwing six innings and striking out four while allowing only one run on four hits. However, the right-hander from San Mateo, California did not allow an earned run and has now pitched 11 2/3 innings without giving up a single earned run (opponents are hitting just .108 off Steve). And he's struck out 14 while walking only two.
"It's been awhile since I have started, but it was nice to go out there and throw more than one inning," Kalush said. "I felt comfortable out there and stayed with the same approach of attacking the strike zone."
The win extended the Knights' franchise-best winning streak to 15 games.
Spokane scored first in the third when Dylan Gavin of Oregon reached on a throwing error by Corvallis third baseman Billy Clontz of Western Oregon, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, to third on a flyout to center and scored on a single to left by Winston. That would be the only RiverHawks run of the night.
As they did the night before, Corvallis followed Spokane with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Washington second baseman Doug Cherry stole second base and scored on a single to center by designated hitter Dylan Jones.
"(Spokane starter Mike Richard) had good stuff and was keeping us off balance," said centerfielder Pat Colwell of San Diego State. "He came with a lot of sliders and cutters, but once we got our second and third time through we caught up to it and started hitting the ball."
Corvallis took the lead in the fourth when OSU-bound Taylor Ard doubled to right, advanced to third on a Colwell groundout and scored on a sac fly to left by Oregon State frosh outfielder Brent Warren.
The Knights plated two more runs in the fifth. The inning started with a drag bunt single by Jones. UNLV junior-to be Richie Jimenez followed with an infield hit. After both runners advanced on a Clontz flyout, Ard collected his 22nd and 23rd RBI of the season with a single to center giving the Knights a 4-1 lead.
Corvallis then turned to two of its newest pitchers in the seventh and eighth innings.
San Diego State's Drew Leary relieved Kalush and tossed a scoreless seventh.
In his Corvallis Knights debut, Oregon pitcher Tyler Anderson threw a scoreless eighth inning.
"That is great that he (Anderson) came out in a league game like this, in a big situation," Colwell said. "He did really well. He got himself in a little bit of a jam, but got himself out of it. That showed a lot of character right there."
With Kalush starting, Coach Knight turned to Gonzaga-bound Liam Baron to close out the RiverHawks.
Baron delivered and earned his first save of the season by inducing two groundouts and a pop fly to left field.
Despite the one error, Corvallis was strong once again on defense. Outstanding plays were made all around the diamond, including a play where Kalush fielded a pop up from Gavin and whirled around to double-up the runner at first base. "We had a great defense today," Kalush said. "I think everyone stepped up on defense. We had some double plays here and there and Susac had a great day behind the plate."
Jones and Ard led the Knights offense. Dylan went 2-for-4 with a RBI while Taylor went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Corvallis looks to sweep the Hawks on Wednesday night. Game three of the series starts at 6:35 pm. Linn-Benton CC's Trevor Smith is the probable starter.
You can listen to tomorrow night's game by tuning into KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker, the voice of the Knights, calls all the action.
