Knights drop home opener 6-4 to Bend Elks before an Opening Night crowd of 822.

Corvallis recorded 16 hits, and catcher Miles Kizer of UW delivered the team's only run-scoring hit, a two-run two-out single.

The Knights banged out a season-high 16 hits, but were only able to plate 4 runs vs. the Elks.

Corvallis' first four batters combined for 13 hits with Mitch Haniger of Cal Poly going 4-for-5 in his Knights debut and lead-off hitter Jake Rodriguez, shortstop Matt Duffy of Long Beach State and designated hitter Michael Blake of Mt. Hood CC all going 3-for-5.

Reliever Alex St. Pierre of Lewis & Clark College took the loss as Bend touched up the right-hander for 3 runs in the 7th to take a 5-2 lead.

After Tommy Richards of Washington State hit a solo homer in the top of the ninth, his fourth hit of the game, Corvallis rallied for two runs in the final frame and had runners at second and third with two outs, but third baseman Justin Berry of Texas Tech struckout to end the game.

Catcher Miles Kizer of UW tied the game 2-2 with a two-out two-run single in the fourth inning.

When asked about his first home game in Corvallis Kizer said, "It feels good to help out, but it's tough to have a loss.

"It takes a little bit to get used to playing with a new team so hopefully we'll be able to pull out some more wins soon."

Big West Freshman of the Year Mitch Haniger of Cal Poly collected 4 hits including a triple.

"I just met the guys yesterday and it has been great so far. Corvallis is a nice place and I'm fitting in here just fine," said Haniger.

Future Beaver Jake Rodriguez doubled and had three hits.

"It's been my first couple days here with the guys and I'm starting to get used to it.

"It's been a good experience so far. I have been playing with better players and it's definitely a step up from high school ball," said Rodriguez, who was selected in the 11th round of the 2010 draft by the Los Angeles Angels.

Game two of the series is Wednesday night at 6:35 pm.

Catch the game on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker and Jason Schwartz call all the action.