Monday, August 2, Corvallis, Ore. – Nate Nankil homered and drove in five runs, leading the Knights to a 12-4 win over the NW Star Nighthawks in a nonleague game before a Knuckleball Night crowd of 1,012 at Goss Stadium.
The rising Cal State Fullerton sophomore right fielder (pictured, above) had a two-run single in the third inning, a sacrifice fly in the fifth and a two-run homer in the seventh. He finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Third baseman Spencer Scott (Portland) and first baseman Kiko Romero (Central Arizona) each doubled twice, scored twice and drove in two runs. Kyler Stancato (Washington State) tripled, singled, scored twice and drove in two.
Corvallis scored three times in the first, fifth and sixth innings, and twice in the third inning. The Knights had seven extra-base hits, blasting four doubles, two triples and Nankil’s home run.
It was the final nonleague game of the year for the Knights (30-9 WCL, 12-3 second half, 39-11 overall), who finished 9-2 in out-of-league action. The Nighthawks are based in Ridgefield, Wash., and consist primarily of players from Clark CC in nearby Vancouver.
Corvallis starting pitcher Kaleb Kantola (Lipscomb) allowed three hits and three runs over six innings to earn the victory. He struck out three.
The week long home stand continues at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday with the opener of a three-game West Coast League series with Yakima Valley. The Pippins won the first-half North Division championship, and lead the second-half pennant race as well.
The home stand concludes at 7:05 p.m. Friday with a Fireworks Night game with the Ridgefield Raptors.