Corvallis beats defending WCL champion Wenatchee 4-2 to take first game of series.

Reliever Nick Hoover (pictured) of UC Irvine tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win.

Hoover was masterful as the sophomore only allowed two hits and struck out 8.

"It feels great to actually get in there and get some innings," said Hoover.

"It's awesome, especially to get the first win of the series. It's a good start, especially against those guys, they were a bit of a rival last year so it feels great to get the first win."

Nick replaced starter Dean McArdle of Stanford who pitched the first three innings and gave up two runs.

Mitch Patito of UC Riverside retired the AppleSox in order in the ninth to register his fourth save of the season.

The play of the game was Mitch Haniger's Jim Edmondsesque catch of Clayton Eslick's blast to deep centerfield saving a run and ending the inning by doubling up Kakei Hanawhine at first.

The frosh from Cal Poly also got the Knights going early with a run-scoring double in the first. Haniger then scored the Knights' second run on a Thomas McCarthy single to left.

"I've had a couple diving catches that I haven't come up with, but it felt good to finally get one and help the pitcher out for once," said Mitch Haniger.

"Tonight was a good win because we've been struggling a little bit and we've heard they're a great ball club. It's good that we have a little win streak going and we need to keep playing well."

Shortstop Matt Duffy of Long Beach State delivered the game-winner in the fourth inning with a two-out RBI single up the middle that plated catcher Miles Kizer. The inning started with a single to center by Kizer. Miles then advanced to second on a sac bunt by Daniel Dillard of Western Oregon and to third on a ground out to second base by Jake Rodriguez.

Corvallis scored an insurance run in the sixth as Dillard tripled home the Knights' fourth run.

With the win, Corvallis improves to 9-8 in league and 12-8 overall, and extended its win streak to three games.

The Knights and AppleSox play game two of the series tomorrow night at Goss. Game time is 6:35 pm.

Wednesday is $1,000 Kids Dash for Cash Night. Kids 10 years and under are eligible to dash for the cash.

You can catch the entire series on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker and Jason Schwartz call all the action.

NOTE: OSU Federal Credit Union Fireworks Night tickets are still available. The team will be selling July 3rd reserved and GA seats at its downtown office on 4th and Madison between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm on Wednesday. Sections A-G are reserved for Fireworks (lower bowl). Reserved seating is $10 and GA is $5. There are plenty of seats available, but they are going fast.

NOTE: The Knights' July 4th game time vs. Bellingham has been changed. The start time has been moved from 11:35 am to 1:35 pm.