Knights erupt for 11 first-inning runs, bury Bend 16-3

Friday, July 19, Corvallis, Ore. – Corvallis exploded for 11 runs in the first inning and crushed Bend 16-3 before an entertained Alyrica Networks Cap Night crowd of 1,939 at Goss Stadium.

The Knights (34-8 overall, 29-8 WCL, 7-3 second half) amassed 11 hits in the outburst, their biggest of the summer. Brandon Cabrera (Lewis-Clark State, No. 25 pictured above) opened the rally with a two-run double, and then capped it with a three-run homer over the taller left-field fence.

Cabrera had five RBIs in the inning and finished the night going 2-for-4 with three runs and five RBIs. He was an easy choice for Washington Park Advisors Player of the Game plaudits.

After an out leading off the home first, the next 10 Knights reached base safely – nine on base hits, one on an error – and all scored. Following the second out, Cabrara launched his first homer of the summer to end the scoring.

Kevin Takeuchi (USC) doubled twice in the inning; Ty Yukumoto (Pacific) singled twice and scored both times. Luke Lavin (Stanford) and Colter McAnelly (Utah) both had two-run singles and also scored.

The Knights reached double figures for the seventh time this summer and set a season-high in hits (23) and runs, topping the 14 they scored at Cowlitz on June 1 and Bend on June 4. Every starter scored; every starter except one hit safely and seven had at least one RBI.

Blake Wilson (Washington) doubled three times, singled, scored three times, stole two bases drove in a run. Quin Dufort (Portland) singled three times and drove in three runs.

Yukumoto had three singles and three runs; Thomas Ferroggario (Santa Clara) had three singles, as did McAnelly.

Almost lost in the offensive outburst was the outstanding performance by WCL all-star starter Tyner Horn (Nebraska). He allowed only two hits and one run over four innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk. Horn threw 45 strikes in 70 pitches.

However, Horn did not go the required five innings to be credited with the victory. The decision instead went to Caleb Debban (George Fox), who struck out the side in the second of his two scoreless innings.

The Knights and Elks meet again on July 20 and July 21 at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend. James DeCremer (0-0, 3.00) of Oregon State and Payton Riske (2-1, 2.25) of Utah are the scheduled starters for Corvallis, opposed by Jackson Elder (2-1, 2.25) of Utah and Mason Edwards (1-0, 0.00) of USC for the Elks.

Corvallis is idle on July 22. It opens a three-game series with Ridgefield on July 23, starting in Washington. The July 24 game is at Goss Stadium and the series shifts back to Ridgefield for the July 25 finale.

Corvallis has clinched the first-half South Division championship and will advance to the West Coast League playoffs for the 17^th consecutive season. The postseason starts on Aug. 10.

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