Knights beat Bells 4-3 in 10 innings to take series, extend home win streak to 20.
July 21, 2009
Doug Cherry (pictured) of UW went 3-for-5 with a double and the senior-to be made multiple web gems at third to lead the Knights.
It took all the defensive abilities of the Knights, as well as two Bellingham miscues, to earn a hard fought 4-3 victory in ten innings over the Bells.
"Some of those balls were hit so hard that I don't even know what happened still," Cherry said. "They were hit in the right spot and were just within my reach I guess."
Neither team was able to get anything going early as starting pitchers Nick Hoover of Corvallis and Bellingham's Jordan Haver put up zeroes through five innings.
Hoover of UC Irvine got into trouble in the top of the sixth surrendering back-to-back singles before walking Chris Amezquita of UCLA.
With the bases full of Bells and no outs, Corvallis skipper Brooke Knight turned to reliever Trevor Smith of Linn-Benton CC to get the home team out of a jam.
Smith performed admirably, but walked the first hitter he faced scoring a run and allowed a second run to score on a sacrifice fly.
"I just tried to throw strikes right from the beginning," Smith said. "I came into the game with the bases loaded and no outs, unfortunately I walked the first batter, but I settled in after that."
Down 2-0, Corvallis battled back in the sixth when Cherry singled to left-center to lead-off the inning. After being moved over on a sacrifice bunt, Cherry scored on a triple to left-center by Riverside CC shortstop Richie Jimenez.
The Knights then knotted things at 2-2 as designated hitter Taylor Ard, the 2009 NWAACC Player of the Year, cued an infield hit that spun so fast it snaked away from Haver scoring Jimenez.
Neither team threatened until the top of the ninth when Bellingham loaded the bases with one out. But the threat was downgraded when Craig Hertler of the Bells appeared to miss a sign and was easily caught stealing home. Now with two outs, Smith struck out Trent Bridges to end the inning and keep the scored tied 2-2.
"At Linn-Benton I was a closer, so I'm kind of used to coming in late in the game when things are tight," Smith said.
After a scoreless bottom of the ninth moved the game into extra innings, Smith walked the second hitter he faced, Tanner Leighton, in the 10th. Leighton stole second and then scored the go ahead run on a single to left by Amezquita.
In the bottom of the frame, it was Rally Time as second baseman Josh Hogan of Oregon started the uprising with a sharp one-out single to left-center off Bells' closer Seth Harvey of Washington State. From there, things unraveled for the Bells as it appeared Jimenez would flyout on a ball hit to deep center, but Bellingham's centerfielder misplayed the hit into a three-base error and Hogan scored to tie the game. Then with two strikes on Dylan Jones and Jimenez on third, Harvey uncorked a wild pitch that scored Jimenez and gave Corvallis the win.
"Everyone is really excited," Cherry said. "I know my heart is just going crazy right now. It was a lot of fun, tonight was a come from behind and we haven't had many of those. It was just really exciting."
Cherry finished the night 3-for-5 with a run scored and double and he made multiple spectacular plays at the hot corner on defense.
Ard went 2-for-4 with a double off the top of the left-centerfield wall and a run-scoring infield hit.
Smith allowed only two hits and one run over five innings of work as he picked up the victory for Corvallis. With the win, Trevor improved to 6-0 on the season. Smith leads the team in victories and has posted a 2.15 ERA over 12 appearances and 37 2/3 innings pitched.
Corvallis is now 35-6 overall and 26-6 in league. The Knights improved their home mark to 21-1 and the team extended its Goss Stadium win streak to 20 while also taking their 10th of 11 WCL series this summer.
The Knights go for the sweep on Wednesday night. You can catch the game on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker - the voice of the Knights - calls all the action.
Knights keep Goss magic alive by Brooks Hatch, Gazette-Times
