Knights drop series opener at Spokane 9-8.

Jim Murphy (pictured) of Washington State went 4 for 4 with a homerun, double and 3 RBI in his Knights debut. Corvallis banged out 14 hits and made a valiant late-inning comeback that fell just short. Corvallis scored three in the sixth, two in the eighth and one in the ninth to make it a game after falling behind early 8-2.

The Knights league leading defense didn't show up Thursday night as Corvallis made five errors including a miscue in rightfield by Nick Akins of Riverside CC that allowed Spokane to score its 9th and final run, which ended up being the difference. Errors by shortstop Drew Garcia, second baseman Josh Hogan and pitcher Brad Reid all proved costly.

Reid struggled after two solid WCCBL performances. The junior-to be at Oregon State gave up 10 hits and 8 runs, 5 of which were earned. Reid's errant pick-off attempt and subsequent two wild pitches in the 5th inning with two outs allowed Spokane to score two gimme runs without a hit or a ball put into play.

Corvallis roared back in the 6th thanks to a two-run homer by Jim Murphy that cut the RiverHawks advantage to 8-4. Later in the inning, Josh Hogan of Mt. Hood CC delivered a two-out bloop RBI single that plated Kyle Cruikshank of Golden West College. Cruikshank singled following Murphy's homer, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Spokane catcher Tyson Van Winkle trying to nab Kyle stealing.

Corvallis picked up another run in the eighth and two more in the ninth vs. Spokane's closer. But the rally ended with a two-out, 3-2 fastball that Clayton Shaw swung through with the bases loaded and runners on the move for the game's final out.

Jake Roy of Dakota Wesleyan collected two more hits to raise his team leading average to .360.

Returnee catcher Erik Ammon of Oregon State went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI in his 2007 debut. His Beavers teammate outfielder Braden Wells went 1 for 3 in his Corvallis debut.

Ex-Knight and 2006 Knights batting champion Shawn Wayt of Gonzaga went 5 for 5 vs. his former team.

Corvallis and Spokane wrap its three-game series Friday with an afternoon doubleheader that will be broadcast live on 990 AM The Legend. Mike Parker, the voice of the Beavers, calls all the action from Gonzaga's brand new Patterson Baseball Complex and Washington Trust Field.

Kitsap swept Bend and is now only a 1/2 game behind Corvallis in the WCCBL West with an 8-4 league record.

The Knights play their 8th and 9th games in 8 days on Friday.