Knights slip past Pippins 4-2, take 1-0 series lead.

Corvallis took a 1-0 lead in its South Division playoff series with Yakima Valley by defeating the Pippins 4-2 on Tuesday night at Yakima County Stadium.

Second baseman Matt Kelly (pictured) of Portland had a key two-run single to power the Knights (42-20 overall), who moved to within one win of a series victory and their eighth appearance in the West Coast League's Championship Series with the triumph.

Game 2 in the best-of-3 series is set for 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at Goss Stadium. Dixie State lefty Aaron Pope (4-2, 2.07) is the projected starter for the Knights, opposed by Cal State Fullerton righty Gavin Velasquez (7-2, 2.12).

If necessary, a decisive Game 3 would be played at 6:40 p.m. Thursday in Corvallis. The WCL Championship Series starts on Saturday.

The Knights never trailed in handing Yakima Valley starter Zach Draper his first loss of the season after eight straight wins. Draper started the night with a 0.72 ERA but the Knights touched him for three runs in seven innings.

Corvallis scored in the first inning on a single by Kyle Nobach (Oregon State), a steal, a bunt single by Andy Atwood (OSU) and a double play. Kelly's two-out, bases-loaded single scored two more in the fourth to send the Knights ahead 3-0.

Yakima Valley drew within 3-2 in the sixth, but relievers Trenton Dupre (Washington State) and Chase Kaplan (Kansas in 2016-17) protected the lead with three scoreless innings. Kaplan locked it down in the ninth inning after Nobach's sacrifice fly added a key insurance run in the top half.

Corvallis starter Cameron Bishop (UC Irvine) allowed two hits, no runs and had six strikeouts in 4.1 innings before being relieved after 84 pitches. He retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced after a shaky start.

Dupre pitched the seventh and the eighth and Kaplan shut the Pippins out in the ninth for the save. Dupre was credited with the win.

The WCL Championship series starts Saturday, against either Victoria or Bellingham. Host Bellingham took a 1-0 lead in their North Division playoff series by winning 3-2 on Tuesday; Game 2 is Wednesday night in Victoria.