Bellingham forces decisive Game 3 with 4-1 victory.

Chris Bishop (pictured) pitched effectively for six innings but the Bells prevailed 4-1 on Sunday to force a decisive Game 3 of the WCL Championship Series.

The final game of the summer is set for 7:05 p.m. Monday at Joe Martin Field. Linfield's Chris Haddeland (4-4, 3.03) is the expected starter for the defending-champion Knights (43-20); he allowed one run in eight innings against Bend on Aug. 13 but was not involved in the decision in his previous playoff start.

Bishop (Pacific Lutheran) gave up two runs on eight hits and had five strikeouts in six innings and was the loser. He gave up soft singles to the first two batters and they both scored; the decisive run crossed on a two-out wild pitch.

The Bells (42-18) took a 2-0 lead in the first on two singles, a sacrifice, an RBI ground out and a two-out wild pitch. Pitchers Ryan McMonigle and Dan Ludwig consistently worked their way out of trouble and made that early advantage stand up.

The Knights cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth inning on an RBI infield single by center fielder Grant Melker (San Diego), one of two Knights with two hits. Logan Ice (Oregon State) also had two hits.

Corvallis had numerous other scoring opportunities, but could not convert to pull even or go ahead. The Bells finally broke it open with two insurance runs off the bullpen in the eighth.

Corvallis stranded 11 runners. The Knights left two on base in the second, fourth and fifth innings; left the bases loaded in the third, and hit into a 1-2-3 DP with the bases loaded to end the seventh. The 2-5 hitters in the lineup were a combined 1-for-15.

McMonigle was in trouble all game and was knocked out after 3.2 innings but gave up just one run. Ludwig blanked the Knights on three hits the rest of the way and got the win.

Corvallis won the series opener 4-3 at Goss Stadium on Aug. 15. Only two of the previous seven finals required three games.