Corvallis finishes three-game sweep
MOSES LAKE — The Corvallis Knights have a terrific pitching staff.
Nowhere was that more evident than in Saturday's win over the Moses Lake Pirates.
Corvallis starter Mike Koons came within three outs of a no-hitter as the West Division-leading Knights (8-1) finished off a three-game sweep of the Pirates Sunday evening, winning 1-0 at Larson Field. The Knights allowed five runs in the three games.
"Their three pitchers spotted the fastball real well and they threw their slider down and away and we were real susceptible to that pitch," Pirates head coach Gabe Boruff said. "We've got to make small adjustments."
Koons was virtually untouchable during his eight-plus innings and, in fact, came very close to a perfect game. He retired the first 16 hitters he faced before Moses Lake's TJ Bernardy reached on a sixth-inning error.
Moses Lake (6-3) threatened in the eighth after Steven Swinford coaxed a leadoff walk and pinch runner Levi Cheshire advanced to third on two ground balls. But Koons struck out pinch hitter Zach Hedge to end the threat.
Pirate reliever Ben Graham, taking over in the ninth after eight superbly pitched innings from Dale Reneau, got the first two outs but then got in trouble.
Graham plunked Jake Roy and pinch hitter Josh Hogan popped a fly into shallow right field that Moses Lake second baseman Zach Kim couldn't quite haul in over his shoulder.
With Rocky Gale at the plate, the Knights tried a double steal that could've easily ended with Kim tagging Hogan for the final out. But Hogan worked his way out of the ensuing rundown with Kim worried about Roy racing home.
Corvallis took advantage of the situation a few pitches later as Gale trickled a ball toward shortstop Jesse Ayala, who charged in furiously but couldn't maintain control in his haste to throw to first. Roy scored and Corvallis had a 1-0 lead.
Bernardy spoiled Koons' no-hit bid, leading off the ninth by beating out a single to shortstop. One out later, Kim singled past a diving first baseman and Bernardy scampered around to third.
Corvallis reliever Kyle Cruikshank struck out Steve Tinoco, with Kim stealing second on the pitch. With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Cruikshank fanned Mike Capbarat on a letter-high fastball for the final out.
Boruff was pleased with his players for continuing to fight despite the offensive struggles.
"We had a lot of intensity and we had a chance to win it there on a base hit," he said. "We had a chance to come back and win it and salvage getting swept."
Reneau received a no-decision after eight innings of work, allowing three hits, two walks and one hit batter.
Spokane comes calling tonight at 7:30 p.m. in a battle of the top two teams in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League East Division. Neither team has announced a starter.