Knights defeated 10-1 by Bend Elks in series opener.

Catcher Ryan Matranga (pictured) had two hits but Corvallis fell 10-1 to Bend on Tuesday night at Vince Genna Field in the opener of their three-game series.

It was the Knights' fourth loss in a row, their sixth loss in their last seven games, and their sixth consecutive loss to the Elks.

Bend (13-3 WCL) stretched its South Division lead over Corvallis (7-10 all, 6-10 WCL) to seven games. The Elks won the final two games of a June 3-5 series against the Knights in Bend, and swept a 3-game series in Corvallis this past weekend.

Corvallis took a 1-0 lead in the second when Josh George (Cal Poly) took home on the front end of a double steal but the lead was short-lived. The Elks scored twice in the second inning, twice more in the fourth and then broke it open with six runs in the sixth.

Matranga (San Francisco) had two of the Knights' three hits. Gary Steindorf (Western Oregon) pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

The series resumes at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend. Righty Chris Clements of UC Santa Barbara (0-0, 1.50) is the projected starter for Corvallis.

The Knights head to Medford on Friday for a weekend series with the Rogues at Harry & David Field. Their next home game is a Monday exhibition against the U-19 Colts, a touring Australian all-star team.