Sweets stymie Knights, force decisive Game 3

Saturday, Aug. 8, Corvallis, Ore. – Walla Walla edged Corvallis 3-2 to force a decisive Game 3 in their South Division playoff series, disappointing a Goss Stadium crowd of 1,123.

The Knights (36-24) and Sweets will play the winner-take-all showdown at 6:05 p.m. on Aug. 9, also at Goss Stadium. The winner advances to the South Division championship game, set for Aug. 11.

The Sweets scored three times in the second inning and turned away numerous Corvallis attempts to draw even. Starter Dexter Kavahi pitched seven two-hit, shutout innings, striking out seven.

Corvallis drew within 3-2 in the eighth on Diego Cruz’s (Oregon State) RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to Dakota Chun (Portland). However, reliever Tre Morse got a bases-loaded strikeout to end the rally and then retired Corvallis in order in the ninth for the save.

Corvallis starter Micah Hagler (Seattle, pictured above) allowed three runs in six innings, with two strikeouts. All came in the second, when the Sweets strung together three ground-ball singles and aa triple that barely eluded a diving attempt by center fielder Max Medina (Cal Poly).

The postseason playoffs involve the top four teams from the North and South divisions. In the South Division’s other semifinal, first-half champion Ridgefield hosted Portland in Game 2 of that series, with Portland leading 1-0.

In the North Division, host Wenatchee eliminated Kelowna 8-3 to sweep that series and advance to the division championship game.

In the other semifinals, Bellingham edged Nanaimo 3-1 to even that series 1-1. They play the deciding game on Aug. 9 at Bellingham.

Wenatchee will host the winner on Aug. 11. The victor advances to the Aug. 13 WCL Championship game.

Wenatchee or Bellingham will host the WCL Championship game if they advance that far, based on best overall records. If Nanaimo prevails, the South Division champion will host the finals.

The crowd of 1,123 raised the season attendance to 49,593 in 33 dates. That’s an average of 1,503 per opening.

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