CORVALLIS, Ore. – Shortstop Matt Kelly (pictured) was 4-for-4 with two RBIs for the Knights in a 7-4 loss to Port Angeles that evened the West Coast League series at a game apiece.
A rising junior at Portland, Kelly singled in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth innings. He is 8-for-14 in his last three games, with a homer and four RBIs, raising his average from .150 to .324. He also extended his hitting streak to four games in a row.
Right fielder Jordan Qsar (Pepperdine) singled and scored twice, first baseman Tanner Cantwell (Treasure Valley CC) singled twice, scored and had an RBI and Kevin Watson Jr. (Oregon State) singled, scored and walked twice.
Relievers Nick Morales (San Jose State) and Darren Nelson (Cal Poly) were impressive in their Corvallis debuts. Morales allowed one run and had three strikeouts in 2.2 innings; Nelson went 2.2 scoreless frames and struck out five.
Corvallis (9-3 all, 8-3 WCL) left 10 runners on base, six in scoring position, and hit into two inning-ending double plays.
The rubber game of the series is set for 6:40 p.m. Friday. Linfield lefty Cason Cunningham (1-0, 0.75) will start for Corvallis against a to-be-determined Port Angeles pitcher.
The Knights then continue their opening homestand by hosting Cowlitz on Saturday through Tuesday.