Early Scoring Outburst Leads Knights to 8-3 Win
Published on June 14, 2014 under West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Corvallis Knights scored seven times in the 2nd inning and never looked back, defeating the Yakima Valley Pippins 8-3 on Friday at Goss Stadium.
The Knights (3-3) got on the board in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI double from Joe Duffin against Pippins starter Collin Nord.
The second inning was where the damage was done. The Knights opened with a pair of singles, a sacrifice bunt and an infield single to load the bases for Grant Melker, who drove a 2-run single down the right field line to make it 3-0. After Dane Lund walked to reload the bases, Kevin Kline hit a grand slam to left field to make it 7-0. The Knights added their 7th and final run of the inning on an RBI double by Tim Raush, capping a 41-pitch inning for Nord.
"Tip your hat to them," said Manager Marcus McKimmy. "They hit some balls hard. We weren't able to minimize the damage, which will cost you every time. You can't give up big innings in this league and expect to win consistently."
The Pippins (2-4) missed an opportunity to score in the 3rd inning, but capitalized in the 4th. Shawn Wardian drew a bases loaded walk to pick up the first run, and Ryan Yamane drove in two more on a single to center field to cut the deficit to 8-3. Yakima Valley had opportunities to score again in the 6th, 7th and 9th innings, getting at least two runners on in each of those frames, but could not score in any of those situations. In total, the Pippins drew 11 walks off Corvallis pitching, including leadoff walks in five straight innings. However, the club left 11 men on base over the course of the game.
"This is a game where you've gotta take what's given to you," said McKimmy. "Unfortunately, we've given a lot away [this season]. Tonight, we weren't able to take advantage of what we were given."
On the pitching side, Nord settled in after the rough first two innings, allowing only two base runners over his final 2 1/3 innings. In total, Nord and relievers Colin Serkowski and Austin Woodward held Corvallis scoreless over the final 6 innings, surrendering just 3 hits over that span.
The Pippins head south tomorrow to begin a three-game series with the Klamath Falls Gems (1-5). The series begins at 6:35 Saturday night at Kiger Stadium. All three games in the series with the Gems will be carried on 1460 ESPN Yakima.
West Coast League Stories from June 14, 2014
- Third Comeback Win In a Row Keyed By Four Run 2nd - Bellingham Bells
- Elks fall to Victoria - Bend Elks
- Elks lose 3-0 - Bend Elks
- Early Scoring Outburst Leads Knights to 8-3 Win - Yakima Valley Pippins
- HarbourCats Open Road Series with 3-0 Win - Victoria HabourCats
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