Knights March Notebook

HOLCROFT BECOMES PORTLAND HIT KING

Former Corvallis Knights all-star outfielder Jake Holcroft became the University of Portland’s all-time hit leader on March 12 when he doubled in the second inning of a 15-5 victory over Oregon in Eugene.

It was the 258th career hit for the outfielder from Claremont High School in Upland, Calif. The old mark of 257 was set by Jason Geis from 1989-92. The redshirt senior is hitting .360 on the season.

Holcroft played for the Knights during the 2019 season, in which he led the West Coast League in batting (.368) and was a first-team all-star. That summer, Jake set the WCL record for hits in a season with 82.

SCOTT EARNS PITCHING HONOR

Stanford sophomore Matt Scott (2022 alum) earned Pac-12 Conference Pitcher of the Week honors for March 4-10 with an outstanding effort in a 3-2 win over Washington on March 8 in the Cardinal’s conference opener.

Scott went seven innings and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out nine and walked two, threw 60 strikes in 99 pitches and had five consecutive strikeouts at one point in the game.

It was the second time he’s earned POTW honors; he also won in March, 2023.

BAZZANA EARNS MULTIPLE HONORS

Former Knights Most Outstanding Player Travis Bazzana (2021) was named the National Co-Player of the Week by Perfect Game, and the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week, for Feb. 12-18. The junior second baseman hit .563 as the Beavers won four straight games at the College Baseball Classic in Surprise. He had three homers, seven RBIs, two steals, a double and a triple.

Travis played for the Knights before his freshman season at OSU and led the West Coast League in batting with a league-record .429 average. He also earned the league’s MVP and Top Prospect awards.

He also garnered Pac-12 POTW honors for the week of Feb. 26-March 3, when the Beavers swept North Dakota State in their home-opening series. He hit .417 (5-12) with a homer, two triples, eight RBIs and 10 walks.

He also earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors for March 18-24. The Beavers played four games and he led off each one with a homer, and finished with six homers and 11 RBIs. He was named Perfect Game’s co-National Player of the Week.

TAYLOR DOMINANT FOR COUGARS

Former Knights pitcher Grant Taylor (2021) was named Pac-12 Conference Pitcher of the Week for March 25-31 after a dominant outing in a 4-0 Apple Cup victory over bitter rival Washington.

Taylor threw a complete game shutout, allowing one hit, no walks and striking out a WSU-record 17 Husky batters. On the season, he is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA and 2.94 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Grant was also named Perfect Game’s Co-National Pitcher of the Week for his efforts.

OTHER

The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted triple-A hitting coach Matt Hague to the MLB coaching staff. Previously at triple-A Buffalo, the 2005 Aloha Knights standout will serve as an assistant hitting coach in Toronto.

Veteran Corvallis Knights skipper Brooke Knight will be the head coach of the Sydney Blue Sox for the 2024-25 season, the Australian Baseball League team announced on March 18. Click here to read more on Coach Knight’s new winter home.