Knights rally from early 4-0 deficit to beat Bellingham Bells 8-7 at Joe Martin Stadium.
July 28, 2009
Second baseman Josh Hogan (pictured) of University of Oregon collected three hits and delivered the game-winning hit, a run-scoring double in the ninth.
Tied 6-6 in the ninth, Corvallis Knights utility man Billy Clontz of Western Oregon led-off the inning with a single to center off Bells' closer Seth Harvey of Washington State. After a strikeout, catcher Rocky Gale of University of Portland singled sharply to center to put runners at first and second setting up Hogan's heroics.
The senior-to be at UO then ripped a double to right scoring Clontz to put Corvallis up 7-6.
The Knights recorded an insurance run one batter later when senior-to be outfielder Adam Melker of Cal Poly executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score Gale.
The run was crucial as southpaw Liam Baron of Linn-Benton CC, who blew a save opportunity in the eighth, gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth. But the Gonzaga junior-to be from Australia was able to wiggle out of trouble and earn the win.
Hogan made a tough play on a flare with a runner on first to record the game's final putout.
Starter Matt Andriese of UC Riverside pitched six solid innings only giving up one earned run. Andriese was touched up for 4 runs in the second, but posted zeroes after that.
Corvallis rallied scoring single runs in the 3rd and 4th and two more in the fifth to tie the score 4-4 after being down 4-0 early, and then went ahead 6-4 after scoring one in the 6th and another run in the seventh before relinquishing the lead in the 8th.
Reliever Eric Young of Riverside CC gave up a run in the seventh and Baron was victimized for single runs in the eighth and ninth.
With the win, Corvallis improved its overall record to 39-8 and league mark to 30-8.
Corvallis and Bellingham play game two of the series Wednesday night.
You can catch the game on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker calls the play-by-play.
