Olsson Shines in Knights’ Debut in 12-3 Win Over Wenatchee

Sam Olsson (pictured, above) had three hits in his Knights debut to spark a 12-3 rout of the Wenatchee AppleSox at Goss Stadium, evening the West Coast League series at a game apiece.

A sophomore-to-be at San Jose State who played at Sheldon High School in Eugene, Olsson singled twice, doubled, scored once and drove in one to lead a 19-hit attack. The Knights exploded for eight hits – five for extra bases – and scored six times in the sixth inning to break open a close game the night after they were shut out in the series opener.

Shortstop Beau Philip (Oregon State) and DH Cam Haskell (Arizona) had three hits each. Third baseman Chad Stevens (Portland) tripled, single and drove in two and outfielder Cody Hawken (Portland) doubled, singled and drove in two, as did first baseman Trace Tammaro (Portland).

Reliever Louie Crow (San Diego) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings for the victory. He came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth and retired the side; the Knights then scored six times in the bottom half to turn a 5-3 game into an 11-3 laugher.

Starter Conner Knutson allowed just two hits over four innings and had seven strikeouts. He lowered his ERA from 12.27 to 5.87 and left with a 2-0 lead but did not figure in the decision.

The series concludes at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The scheduled starters are San Francisco righty Daniel Slominski (0-0, 1.50) for Corvallis and MSU-Billings lefty Sam Wong (1-0, 2.57).

Thursday is Corvallis Chamber Business After Hours and Magnet Schedule Giveaway Night. The first 1,000 fans receive a Knights’ schedule magnet.

The Knights then host Cowlitz on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The homestand concludes on Monday with a nonleague game with the Gresham GreyWolves.

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