Knights beat Bend 4-1, win WCL West Divisional Series 2 games to 1.

Southpaw Ben Guidos (pictured) of University of Washington was masterful tossing 7 2/3 innings to earn the win, his 7th of the season.

Guidos (7-0, 1.27) allowed only 4 hits and no earned runs as Corvallis won game three of the West Divisional Series vs. Bend to advance to the WCL Championship Series vs. Wenatchee.

Game one of the WCL Championship Series, a rematch of last summer, is scheduled for Saturday, August 15th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in Wenatchee.

The Knights went 2-1 vs. the AppleSox in the regular season. Wenatchee will be making its first visit to Goss Stadium for game two on Monday, August 17th.

Corvallis advanced thanks to a three-run first inning and stellar pitching.

"The last game I threw, coach Heil had the quick hook on me so I would be fresh for this game," Guidos said. "It ended up being a good decision. Rocky caught a good and coach Heil called a good game, as did Rocky. I love playing with these guys and we were going to do what ever we could to play a few more days."

The Knights jumped out to an early lead by scoring three in the first. Second baseman Doug Cherry of UW led-off with a single to center. After Dylan Jones of Mt. Hood CC lined out to left, Cherry stole second base and advanced to third when the throw by Bend's catcher sailed into centerfield. Cherry then scored on a single by Richie Jimenez of Riverside CC.

After Jimenez's base hit, Oregon State-bound Taylor Ard was hit by a pitch to put two runners on for Cal Poly's Adam Melker. The senior-to be promptly delivered a run-scoring double that split the gap in left-center.

DJ Gentile of Cal Poly plated the inning's final run by scoring Ard on a ground ball to third.

"Just felt better, saw the ball better and as a team I think we did too," Melker said. "We hit a lot more balls hard today and they got through."

With a 3-0 lead, Guidos continued to put up zeroes escaping bases loaded jams in both the fourth and sixth.

"It's really big to come out and put a three-spot up in the first," Guidos said. "It makes it easier for me to pitch. I can pitch to contact and have a little cushion to work with."

Guidos almost wiggled out of a jam in the eighth when with two outs and men at first and second he induced what appeared to be an inning-ending ground out to third, but the ball was booted and a run scored.

With two-outs and runners at the corners, head coach Brooke Knight called on southpaw Liam Baron of Linn-Benton CC. Baron quickly (with one pitch) closed out the inning by getting catcher Kyle Buchanan of Washington State to hit a comebacker to end the threat.

The Knights added an insurance run in the eighth as DJ Johnson, a junior-to-be at Western Oregon, led-off with a pinch-hit single to right. Johnson was pinch-ran for by Oregon State's Brent Warren. The frosh from Robins, Iowa advanced to second on a botched pick-off play, as Bend first baseman Jordan Leyland of UC Irvine was unable to handle the pitcher's throw to first. Warren then scored on a throwing error by Bend's third baseman on a ground ball by catcher Rocky Gale of University of Portland.

In the bottom of the ninth, Baron struck out Bend's first batter, a left-handed hitter. With a right-handed hitter up next, Knight turned to closer Drew Leary of San Diego State to finish things off and send the Knights to the WCL Championship Series.

Leary did not disappoint, inducing a ground out and striking out the series' final batter to earn the save, much to the enjoyment of the 570 Knights faithful on a cool and crisp night at Goss Stadium.

"Our pitchers were unhittable today," Melker said. "Liam came in and got his job done like he always does. Leary is untouchable, it was a good game for them."

Eight Knights collected a single hit.

Guidos registered six strikeouts and surrendered a single unearned run.

"I got the opportunity to come back after winning it last year and we're going to get another shot at it," Melker said.

That shot starts on Saturday at Wenatchee. You can listen to the first game on KEJO 1240 AM. Mike Parker calls all the action.

Game two is Monday, August 17th at Goss. It's a Miser Monday. You can purchase $3 GA tickets the day of the game at the ticket booth.

Box Score