Thursday, July 4, Ridgefield, WA – In his final appearance and start of the summer, Jackson Flora (UC Santa Barbara) tossed five masterful innings to earn the win versus the Ridgefield Raptors.
Flora allowed only 4 hits and one run at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex while walking one and striking out 3.
With the win, Corvallis earned a three-game series sweep of the Raptors and finished 22-5 in the first half of the West Coast League regular season. The Knights also posted a 13-2 first-half road record, tops in the WCL.
Corvallis captured the WCL South first-half title and earned a postseason berth for the 17th consecutive summer.
Knights pitching continued to shine as Corvallis entered the game with the WCL’s lowest team ERA at 2.43.
The bullpen went 4 innings without giving up a run with Bransen Kuehl (Utah) closing the game and registering his league-leading 4th save.
Before Kuehl, relievers Ky Hoskinson (Portland), Dom Tatone (Western Oregon) and Colter McAnelly (Utah) held Ridgefield at bay.
Flora wrapped his summer only giving up one earned run over 18 innings pitched. He made 3 league starts and one non-league start. Over 18 innings pitched, he allowed 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 15. The rising sophomore went 2-0 for Corvallis.
Offensively, the Knights were led by Kevin Takeuchi (USC) who delivered the game-winning hit, a two-out, two-run double in the third. Takeuchi and Kasen Khansarinia (UCLA) both collected two hits.
Corvallis now has two days off before resuming WCL play and starting the second half at Springfield on Sunday, July 7 at Hamlin Sports Complex at 7:35 pm.