Drifters end Knights home winning streak

Friday, July 18, Corvallis, Ore. – Springfield continued to be a thorn in the Knights’ side as the Drifters edged Corvallis 7-6 before a Goss Stadium crowd of 1,710.

Springfield is 2-2 at Goss Stadium this season; the Knights are 10-1 against all other league opposition. The Drifters also snapped the Knights 10-game home winning streak; they had not lost at Goss Stadium since falling 4-3 to Springfield back on June 16.

The Drifters broke a 6-6 tie in the eighth on a two-out, 0-2 single with the bases loaded. Corvallis threw the second runner out at home to end the inning but the damage was done.

The Knights (29-12 all, 25-12 WCL, 8-2 second half) had a runner at second with one out in the eighth and runners at the corners with two outs in the ninth after back-to-back singles by Thomas Ferroggiaro (Santa Clara) and Maddox Riske (USC). However, a strikeout ended the game.

A lack of clutch hitting hurt Corvallis all night. They had the bases loaded with no outs in the first and third innings and could not score; they also couldn’t score with the bases loaded and one out in the second. They left 17 runners on base.

Riske (USC) was 4-for-5 was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and earned Washington Park Advisors Player of the Game plaudits. Brock Ketelsen (Stanford, pictured above) had two hits, two steals and three runs scored. Ferroggiaro was 2-for-4 with two walks.

Knights pitchers combined for 10 walks, one hit batter, two wild pitches and a balk. Chase Olson (Nebraska) pitched a perfect ninth, the only time the Drifters were retired in order.

The series resumes at 6:35 p.m. July 19; South Division all-star J’Shawn Unger of Iowa Western CC (4-0, 2.93) is the Knights scheduled starter, opposed by Fresno CC righty Michael Klein (2-2, 3.68).

It will be Travis Bazzana Bobblehead Night. The first 500 fans will receive a bobblehead of the 2021 Knights star, who was the first pick in the 2024 MLB draft by Cleveland after a standout career at Oregon State.

Zach Johnson of Portland (2-1, 3.86) is the July 20 probable for Corvallis in the 5:05 p.m. series finale. Cal State Fullerton’s Andrew Miller (1-1, 450) goes for the Drifters.

July 20 is Pat Casey Night, recognizing the longtime OSU national-champion baseball coach. The first 250 fans will receive Goss Stadium replicas, courtesy of the OSU Dugout Club. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.

The Knights are idle on July 21. They then hit the road for a three-game series with the Naniamo NightOwls in British Columbia on July 22-25. It will be the first games between the teams since the Nighthawks joined the WCL in 2022.

Box score