Knights edge Kitsap 2-1 to take pivotal WCL West series.

Starter Chris Mendoza (pictured) of Santa Clara tossed 8 innings and allowed only one run and three hits to earn the win.

Mendoza (2-2, 4.71) turned in his best start of the summer as the frosh right-hander worked deep in the game and walked none while striking out 4.

"It felt good. I was really comfortable out there. All my pitches were working today," said Mendoza.

"This game was really important. I just wanted to go out there and give my team a chance to win. I feel like I did that tonight."

Closer Mitch Patito of UC Riverside set Kitsap down in order in the ninth, striking out two BlueJackets, to register his eighth save of the season.

The Knights scored single runs in the second and third innings. Designated hitter Jake Rodriguez, a freshman-to-be at Oregon State, delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the second and frosh outfielder Mitch Haniger of Cal Poly plated the Knights' second run with a sacrifice fly.

With the victory, Corvallis improves its league mark to 16-12 and moves into sole possession of second place in the WCL West, a half game ahead of Bellingham (18-15) and one game ahead of Kitsap (14-12).

Kitsap and Corvallis split their regular season series and the Knights recorded their first series win vs. a contending team in the WCL West.

Corvallis collected 8 hits on the evening, with frosh second baseman JK Dykes of Washington State leading the way with three singles.

The Knights have a day off on Monday and resume action back at Goss on Tuesday night as Corvallis takes on the WCL Portland Stars in a non-league game.

You can catch all the Knights' games on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker and Jason Schwartz call the play-by-play.

NOTE: In the bottom of the eighth, broadcaster Mike Parker made a great catch in the booth off a foul ball off the bat of Bo Altobelli of Texas Tech.