Knights Drop Series Finale at Yakima Valley, 5-3

YAKIMA, Wash. –  Yakima Valley defeated Corvallis 5-3 to salvage the finale of their West Coast League series at Yakima County Stadium.

The Pippins broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the sixth inning and held on over the final three innings to prevent the Knights (32-17, 28-17, 11-7 second half) from becoming the first opponent to sweep the Pippins at home since they joined the league in 2014.

Incoming University of Portland shortstop Chad Stevens (pictured, above) had three hits and an RBI to lead the Knights. He was the only Corvallis player with more than one hit.

Corvallis trailed 3-1 after the first but tied the game on an RBI single by Stevens in the second and a solo homer by Dillan Shrum (Nevada-Reno) in the third. Shrum has homered in two consecutive games; he has six of the Knights’ WCL-leading 37 homers this summer.

First baseman Gabe Matthews (Oregon) doubled and scored in the second inning. He and Shrum had the only extra-base hits for Corvallis.

Starter Louis Crow (San Diego) was rocked for three runs in the first but then settled down and did not allow a run in his final four frames. He allowed seven hits, had four strikeouts and got a no-decision.

The Knights return home on Tuesday to host the Salem Capitols of the Oregon Collegiate Baseball League in a nonconference game. Incoming San Jose State junior Tanner Cantwell (0-1, 14.21) is their projected starting pitcher.

They resume WCL action against Gresham on Wednesday through Friday. A Saturday nonconference matchup with the OCBL All-Stars concludes the homestand.

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