Series Finale Slips Away From Elks against Corvallis
The Knights’ two-run comeback in the ninth caused Bend to come up short in an intense rivalry rubber game. (Andrew Green)
Bend, OR. - The Bend Elks let the series finale slip away from them Sunday as the Corvallis Knights scored two runs in the top of the ninth, resulting in a 4-3 devastating blow to the Elks and their playoff aspirations.
Prior to the ninth, Bend had led in every inning since the second, needing just three outs to secure the rivalry rubber game victory. Unfortunately, the Elks closer Jackson Bolander (0-2) couldn't execute in the game's defining moment, walking a batter to leadoff the final frame followed by a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score before ultimately surrendering the lead on a Sam Stem RBI double that gave the Knights their first lead since they struck first in the second on a one-run single by Tyler Howard.
The Elks needed a bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off rally but couldn't muster a single baserunner nor put a ball in play as Zach Johnson (4-0) struck out the Elks top-of-the-order 1-2-3 to end the game and give Corvallis its sixth straight WCL series win. With the win, the Knights clinched a playoff berth for the 16th consecutive season. Bend has been officially eliminated from second-half title contention and sits 3.5 games back of the Portland Pickles for the final overall playoff spot.
Both sides had several opportunities to add insurance runs, with the Elks being walked by Knights pitchers eight times while leaving nine runners stranded on base. However, those walks served as Bend's main lifeline for offense since the Elks only managed three hits in the contest. Corvallis had the opposite dilemma, finding plenty of life at the plate with ten knocks on the day but only had two runs to show for it through the first eight innings resulting from 10 runners being left on base.
Tucker Grote continues to prove night in and night out why he is one of the best hurlers in the West Coast League. The recent Lewis & Clark State College signee chucked six innings giving up a season-high seven hits that only produced one run thanks to his pitch to contact and let the defense work approach. Grote had two strikeouts and walked just one lone batter dropping his WCL-best ERA of 1.68 by three points. Ryan Morrison and Ethan Krupp each delivered a solid inning of middle relief before Bolander blew the lead in the ninth.
The Knights' pitching staff did not enjoy the same success from their starter as the Elks did. Former Crescent Valley Raider Jackson Van Eyk went just 1 2/3 innings in his first appearance of the summer, walking four batters and hitting another that set up a two-run strike by Wilson Weber that put the nail in the coffin on Van Eyk's outing. However, Bend would struggle to replicate its early success against the Corvallis bullpen that only allowed one run the rest of the way, which came in the seventh on a pinch-hit sac fly by Tyler Peterson. Johnson performed the best of the relievers retiring all six Elks he faced over the final two innings to earn his fourth win of the summer.
Tate Shimao, Ng, and Stem all had multi-hit games for Corvallis. Shimao led all hitters with three knocks in the finale, while Stem finished with eight hits in the three-game set. Weber accounted for two of the Elks' three hits and has a hit in all seven games this season, including four multiple-hit efforts. Justin Tsukada was responsible for the other hit on a leadoff double in the sixth.
Bend will get its final off day of the regular season Monday before its final six-game stretch starting Tuesday at home against the Springfield Drifters in the Elks' last homestand of the summer. First Pitch from Vince Genna Stadium is at 6:35 p.m.
