Pippins Walk off Again
July 19, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Yakima Valley Pippins News Release
YAKIMA, Wash. - Just over 24 hours after winning in walk-off fashion, the Pippins did it again Saturday, knocking off the Corvallis Knights in 11 innings on a Jace Van De Brake walk-off single.
Both sides came out strong early in the series-deciding game. Corvallis (19-17) took an early 2-0 lead on an RBI single from Clay Fisher in the 1st. The Pippins (20-16) answered right back, though, with two runs in the bottom of the 1st. Mitch Skaggs plated the first on an RBI double and the second scored after Corvallis left fielder Joshua George bobbled a ball hit his way on a single from Reid Martinez.
The Knights grabbed a 3-2 lead in the 2nd, but the Pippins pulled even again in the 5th on a sacrifice fly from Martinez. The tie would hold through the rest of regulation, despite numerous good opportunities. A combined six double plays - three by each side - were crucial in helping get the game to extras.
After a scoreless 10th, the Pippins got things going in the 11th, getting a one-out runner aboard on an error by shortstop Nick Madrigal. It was his second of the game and two of four for Corvallis, the team that entered the night with the best fielding percentage in the West Coast League (.974).
For the Pippins, a lot of positive things came with their fifth walk-off win of the season. Yakima Valley took the series over the Knights and the season series with Corvallis. In addition, the Pippins regained the lead in the wild card race, sitting one game in front of the Knights in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Yakima Valley has the next two days off for the all-star break, before resuming WCL play with the Bend Elks (28-8) on Tuesday at 7:05 pm. In the meantime, Jace Van De Brake, Wyatt Mills and Darrion Simons will all head to Bellingham to represent the Pippins in the 2015 WCL All-Star Game. Mitch Skaggs will also be there as the Pippins representative in the home run derby.
West Coast League Stories from July 19, 2015
- Walla Walla Take Bend Series to End the First Half Sweetly - Walla Walla Sweets
- Pippins Walk off Again - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Rogues Head into All-Star Break with Series Win - Medford Rogues
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