Osich, Cusick and Stilley combine to shutout Bellingham 7-0 before crowd of 1,053 at Goss.

Southpaw Josh Osich (pictured) of Oregon State tossed 7 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits and one walk while striking out 11. Osich was dominate earning the win before a crowd of 1,053.

"I just felt like I had a lot of command today and was able to spot up," said Osich. "I was able to work my fastball and change up tonight. I don't know how many strikeouts I got, but it's nice."

Osich benefited from a double play in the first inning before striking out six consecutive batters.

The Knights offense banged out 13 hits and struck first in the bottom of the first when with two outs Mt. Hood CC rightfielder Billy Clontz singled up the middle. After advancing to second on a wild pitch and to third on a throwing error on a pick-off attempt by Bellingham's catcher, Clontz scored easily on a double off the leftfield wall by centerfielder Adam Melker of Cal Poly.

As Osich stayed strong on the hill, Corvallis added cushion in the bottom of the sixth. Designated hitter Dean Green of Oklahoma State doubled to the deepest part of the ballpark and scored when first baseman D.J. Johnson of Mt. Hood CC did the same smoking a double to deep centerfield giving Corvallis a 2-0 lead.

"In a lot of yards that aren't this one we have a few homeruns," Knights' head coach Brooke Knight said. "Since a few weeks ago guys have been swinging the bat really well and we have been getting better at bats. We are a little more aggressive at the plate and it's really paid off."

In the seventh, the Knights struck for four runs starting when second baseman Josh Hogan of Mt. Hood CC reached on an error by Bells' third baseman Matt Argyropoulos of Washington State. Hogan scampered to third on a double by Washington third baseman Doug Cherry. Hogan then scored on a fielder's choice by Riverside CC shortstop Richie Jimenez.

Clontz followed with a perfect bunt down the third baseline for a hit to load the bases for Green. The left-handed hitting slugger from Tulsa almost cleared the sacks as Dean rocked another deep shot to center, but it was snagged at the warning track by centerfielder Brady Locker of Arizona Western JC. Cherry scored on the sac fly and Jimenez moved to third and Clontz to second. Melker, the Knights' next batter, then delivered a two-run single to right to give the Knights a 6-0 lead.

Pinch-hitter Ian Bridges of Sonoma State led off the 8th with a single to left, advanced to second on a single to right off the bat of Cherry and scored the Knights' seventh run on Clontz's two-out single to center.

Melker went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI on the night and Clontz collected 3 hits and knocked in his 24th run of the season. Green went 2 for 3 with a double and RBI. Melker raised his average over .300 to .308. The junior-to be at Cal Poly leads the Knights in stolen bases with 15.

Michael Cusick of Western Oregon replaced Osich in the 8th and tossed a scoreless inning.

Washington State's David Stilley finished for the Knights pitching a scoreless ninth.

The shutout was the Knights' 9th of the season.

Osich improved his record to a perfect 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.13. The frosh from Boise, Idaho has registered 46 strikeouts over 38 innings pitched.

With the win, the Knights set a new single-season WCCBL wins record with 29. Corvallis' overall record is 33-15.

The Knights can take the series Saturday night with another home win.

In the bottom of the 8th, Jake Locker's cousin Brady made two unbelievable catches in center for the Bells robbing Matt Wyckoff of George Fox of a double and Jimenez of a single.

Saturday night's game can be heard on AM 990 The Legend. Mike Parker, the voice of the Knights, calls all the action.