Hawken Leads Knights Over Lefties 11-8 in Series Opener

The Knights pounded Port Angeles pitching for 12 hits to defeat the Lefties 11-8 at Goss Stadium in the opener of their West Coast League series.

Right fielder Cody Hawken (pictured, above) of Portland had two hits, three runs, an RBI and a stolen base for the Knights. They broke a 5-5 standoff by scoring three times in the fifth and sixth innings to build an 11-5 advantage.

DH Sam Olsson (San Jose State) added two singles, two runs and two RBIs, giving him five RBIs in his last two games. Shortstop Beau Philip (Oregon State in 2018-19) also singled twice, scored twice and drove in a run.

The Knights (22-15-1, 19-13 WCL, 3-2 second half) overcame five errors while snapping a two-game losing streak. They now lead the second-half South Division pennant race with a .600 percentage.

Starter Connor Knutson (Portland) allowed two earned runs in 5.1 innings, left with an 8-5 lead and earned the decision. He struck out five and did not issue a walk.

Chad Stevens (Portland) and Chandler Anderson (Utah) added two hits apiece. Every starter had a hit or an RBI.

The series continues at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Lefty Aaron Shoup of St. Martin’s (2-2, 4.37) will start for Corvallis, opposed by Connecticut righty Avery Santos (1-1, 5.58).

Saturday is a $1,000 Kids Dash for Cash Night presented by State Farm Insurance. All snow cones are $2.

The series finale is set for 3 p.m. Sunday. Stanford righty Brendan Beck (0-1, 3.30) will pitch for Corvallis, opposed by Seattle lefty Tyler Oldenberg (0-3, 5.21).

It’s Papa’s Pizza Mascot Day, presented by Jiffy Lube, and Reading Club Night No. 2. The first 150 fans get a free slice of pizza. It’s also a Kids Zone Sunday; all Junior Knights Club members are admitted free of charge.

Friday night’s crowd of 1,830 raised the season attendance to 27,991 in 19 dates, an average of 1,473 per opening.

Box score