Kiko Romero powers Knights to WCLDS game one 13-6 win

Saturday, August 14, Ridgefield, Wash. – Corvallis erupted for 7 runs in the 3rd inning to take an early 7-0 lead at Ridgefield to pave their way to a WCLDS opening win over the Raptors, 13-6.

The big hit of the inning was a grand slam by first baseman Kiko Romero of Central Arizona College. Romero went 3-for-5 on the night with a triple, homer and 5 RBIs.

Corvallis brought out the lumber, collecting 17 hits for the contest. Shortstop Riley Way of Lewis-Clark State went 4-for-5 and scored three times. Rising sophomore designated hitter Nick Vogt of UC Santa Barbara went 3-for-6 with a double and 2 RBIs and rising junior outfielder Briley Knight of Portland went 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs.

Future Portland Pilots third baseman Spencer Scott collected two singles, both in the third inning, one a two-out RBI.

Rising sophomore Drew Dowd of Stanford twirled 7 innings to earn the win. The southpaw allowed 9 hits, 4 earned runs, walked two and struck out 7. Reliever Brett Gillis of Portland tossed two scoreless innings, allowing no hits while walking none and striking out 4.

Ridgefield drew a boisterous crowd of 635 for its first playoff game in club history.

The Raptors and Knights resume their playoff series tomorrow at Goss Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm. Future San Jose State lefty Ethan Ross is the Corvallis probable starting pitcher.

In the North WCLDS opener, Bellingham thumped Yakima Valley 14-1 at Joe Martin Field. Both the Bells and Corvallis can close out their divisional round series with wins on Sunday. Bellingham travels to Yakima for game two.

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