Corvallis evens series at 1-1. Knights beat Elks 4-1 to force game three Thursday, August 14 at Goss Stadium.

WCCBL ERA leader Jared Eskew of Cal Poly (pictured) tossed 6 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball to earn the playoff win. Eskew stymied the red hot Elks, who had won 6 of their last 7, allowing only five hits while striking out 7.

The Knights' offense was powered by University of Portland designated hitter Bryant Kraus who went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI. Kraus delivered the game-winning hit in the sixth as the senior-to be from West Linn, Oregon hammered a bases loaded triple to put the Knights up 3-0. Kraus would score on the next play on Adam Melker's sacrifice fly to deep leftfield.

The Knights four runs in the sixth broke a scoreless tie. Second baseman Josh Hogan, a junior-to be at Oregon, singled to left to lead off the frame, then Washington third baseman Doug Cherry reached on a bunt single and Richie Jimenez of Riverside CC followed Cherry's base bit with a four-pitch walk. That loaded the bases for Bryant Kraus' heroics. After Billy Clontz of Mt. Hood CC popped out for the inning's first out, Kraus stroked a 1-1 pitch to the right-center gap clearing the bases. Bryant hustled to third for a triple and then scored on a sac fly by Melker of Cal Poly.

"It was low and out the same place as the previous two at bats," Kraus said. "All game it was a battle to sit back and hit him the other way. I think we were amped up ready to play a big game and if their guy was throwing 92 we could have put up eight runs."

Geoff Nichols, a junior-to be at Oregon, closed the game for Corvallis as the right-hander from Portland, Oregon struck out the side to earn the save.

"It was important for us to get the win," Eskew said. "We came out confident knowing we could play to our ability. I just went out there and made them put the ball in play."

Michael Cusick of Western Oregon replaced Eskew in the 7th. Cusick threw 1 1/3 innings, gave up one run and struck out 3.

With the win, Corvallis forces game three at Goss Stadium on Thursday, August 14. The winner advances to the WCCBL Championship Series to face Wenatchee who swept Kelowna in the Eastern Divisional Series.

Ryan Platt of UC Riverside is the Knights' probable starter.

You can catch the final game of the West Divisional Series on 990 AM The Legend. Mike Parker, the voice of the Knights, calls all the action.