Corvallis Knights drop third in row to Elks, 5-1.

Reliever Aaron Corwin (pictured) shut out Bend on no hits over the final 3 1/3 innings but the Knights could not escape their July funk in a 5-1 loss to the Elks.

Bend (19-16 WCL) defeated the Knights for the third time in a row to draw within one-half game of first-place Corvallis in the West Division. The Knights (21-17 WCL, 23-17 overall) have lost four of their last five and 11 of 14 since an 18-6 league start.

Corwin had not pitched since July 7 and entered the game with 17 walks in 20 innings in WCL action. He had pinpoint control on Wednesday, though, with four strikeouts, one walk, and 29 strikes in 48 pitches.

"I tried to focus on the target and to throw first-pitch strikes," said Corwin, who entered the game with two out and two on in the sixth and retired Steven Halcomb on a popper to first to strand Elks at second and third. "I'm a a huge rhythm guy so pitching well adds confidence and I start to relax."

A Corvallis High graduate, Corwin pitched at Texas Tech the last two seasons after spending his freshman spring at Feather River (Calif.) JC. He will transfer to an as-yet undetermined third school for his senior season, a switch predicated by a coaching change at Texas Tech.

"I'm looking for a new school and playing for the Knights has been my (stress) release," he said.

Corwin kept the Knights within striking distance but their offense could not respond. They had two runners on base in each of the final three innings but could not get a key hit to ignite a possible rally. They left eight on base, hit into a double play and struck out nine times.

Shortstop Chris Rabago had two hits and the lone RBI for the Knights. They have trailed throughout the final three games of the series and scored in just two of the last 27 innings.

Corvallis was without OF Nate Blackham (groin); catcher Nate Esposito (bruised finger) and infielders Marc Gallegos (injured finger) and Nate Roberts (wrist), key cogs in an offense that is already struggling.

Bend had just five hits but took advantage of Corvallis mistakes to score four unearned runs. Four of their five runners who scored reached via an error, a walk or a hit batsman.

The teams conclude their regular-season series at Goss Stadium at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday. Veteran Knights� righty Max Beatty (0-1, 3.79) of Pacific Lutheran is the Knights' scheduled starter; Brent Jones of Cornell (2-1, 1.32) of Cornell will start for the Elks.

The Knights host Kelowna in a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday. They host the WCL Portland Ports on Sunday in the makeup of a June 22 rainout on All Family Vision Care $1,000 Kids Dash for Cash night.