Corvallis splits doubleheader at Bend, wins 12th WCL series.
August 2, 2009
Reliever Liam Baron (pictured) of Linn-Benton CC earned the 7-4 extra-inning win in game two.
On a hot muggy afternoon at Vince Genna Stadium, the Knights salvaged game two of the doubleheader by beating the host Elks 7-4 in 9 innings. The game was scheduled for seven innings, but went two additional frames as both Corvallis and Bend did not score until extras after each team posted a four-spot in the first inning.
Corvallis got things started when designated hitter Adam Melker of Cal Poly delivered a bases loaded clearing double and advanced to third on a throwing error by Elks' shortstop Tommy Richards of Washington State, and then scored when Bend did not locate the errant relay throw in time.
It was 4-0 Knights, but not for long as Richards and Corey Valine of San Jose State delivered RBI doubles and Bobby Crocker of Cal Poly blasted a two-run home run off Corvallis starter Eddie Orozco of UC Riverside to tie things at 4-4.
Orozco settled down and went four innings.
Eddie was replaced by Bryan Dalton of Columbia Basin in the fifth inning.
Dalton walked the first batter he faced and after inducing a fly out, Bryan walked a second batter, which led to another call to the bullpen.
This time Coach Heil turned to the Knights trusted southpaw Liam Baron to get out of trouble. Baron did just that and went on to shutdown the Elks over the next four innings to earn the win as Corvallis scored three in the top of the ninth to break the deadlock.
The ninth started with a single to right by first baseman DJ Johnson of Mt. Hood CC.
Pat Colwell of San Diego State pinch-ran for Johnson and Brent Warren of OSU pinch-hit for catcher Andrew Susac.
Warren walked on four pitches and then centerfielder John Desmarais of Washington State dropped down a perfect bunt with two strikes to load the bases.
With the sacks juiced, senior-to be Doug Cherry of UW squeezed home the winning run with a perfect sacrifice bunt.
With the infield playing in, senior-to be Josh Hogan of UO singled up the middle to score the inning's second run.
Bend then called on its closer, Jacob Clem of UW, and Clem hit the first batter he faced, Richie Jimenez of Riverside CC, to load the bases for DJ Gentile of Cal Poly.
Gentile plated the Knights' final run on a fielder's choice RBI ground out scoring Desmarais.
Jimenez starred in the field making several outstanding plays at shortstop.
The extra-inning game was the fourth between the Knights and Elks this season and Corvallis has won all four, two at home and two on the road.
Game one featured a 7-inning complete game win by Bend's Nick Stiltner of OSU as the Elks topped the Knights 5-1.
The Knights only run came on a two-out RBI single by Desmarais in the second inning.
Trevor Smith of Linn-Benton CC picked up his first loss of the season.
Corvallis now gets two days off before facing Kitsap at home on Wednesday.
The Knights series win was its 12th of the year and with Sunday's game two victory, Corvallis improved its overall record to 42-10 and league mark to 33-10.
Corvallis will play game two of the WCL West Divisional Series at Goss Stadium on Wednesday, August 12. Game time is 6:35 pm.
You can listen to the playoffs and the balance of the regular season on KEJO 1240 AM.
Mike Parker - the voice of the Knights - calls all the action.
