Bryant Kraus of UP hits three-run homer to erase 5-2 deficit in 7th, but Knights drop opener 7-5 to host Dawgs.

Corvallis Knights rally, but come up short. Okotoks beat the Knights 7-5 on a wet and cold night at Seaman Stadium. Corvallis opened the 2008 season vs. the Okotoks Dawgs, the 2007 champions of the Western Major Baseball League in Canada. The Dawgs struck first scoring two runs in the bottom of the second on Garret Regan's two-run double off Corvallis starter Jon Berger of San Diego State. Berger threw 5 strong innings allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out 8 and walking none.

The Knights cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth thanks to a two-out RBI double by shortstop Josh Hogan.

After a 30-minute rain delay, freshman David Stilley of Washington State made his collegiate debut replacing Berger. The Dawgs welcomed Stilley with back-to-back singles. After a walk that loaded the bases, Anthony Cros plated the Dawgs third run with a sacrifice fly that also advanced the Dawgs' runner from second to third. Following a stolen base putting men at second and third, Stilley proceeded to throw consecutive wild pitches allowing two more Okotoks runners to score.

But the Knights would answer with thunder on a rainy and cold evening in Alberta. Logan Lotti, a junior-to be at Oregon State, blasted a solo homer to start things in the 7th. Then with one out, Ian Bridges of Sonoma State drew a walk and Bo Thunell of George Fox was hit by a pitch. That brought up right-handed hitting outfielder Bryant Kraus of UP and he quickly tied things up with an opposite field three-run homerun.

With the score tied 5-5, reliever Ben Rue replaced Stilley. He got two outs before giving up a single to centerfield. The next batter - Alex Ponich - blasted a RBI triple over centerfielder Billy Clontz's head and Ponich scored on the play when Hogan threw the ball away trying to nail Ponich at third.

Okotoks made the 7-5 lead stand and evened their Challenge Cup record to 1-1. The Dawgs lost their opener to Lethbridge last night 8-3.

Corvallis dropped its season opener under new skipper Brooke Knight.

The team played poorly in the field as the Knights made three errors in addition to throwing two wild pitches and registering two passed balls, one that resulted in an unearned run.

Okotoks starter Mark Wilson pitched 6 stellar innings allowing only 2 hits and one run.

Josh Hogan went 3 for 4.

Corvallis' pitchers struck out 13 batters.

The Knights play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at noon vs. Lethbridge followed by a game with Kelowna at 3:05 pm.