Gazette-Times


BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday to snatch a victory from the Corvallis Knights, 4-3, at Joe Martin Field.

Corvallis led 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Taylor Starr hit a batter, gave up two hits — including a two-run single by left fielder Kai Hatch to tie the game — then surrendered three walks to end the game.

Hatch’s hit came an out after University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker doubled to put two runners in scoring position.

Starr blew a save for the first time this season.

Locker, playing his final game for the Bells before returning to Washington to prepare for the football season, hit 3-for-4 and made five outs in center field.

The loss was the Knights’ (19-8) second in their last 13 games and came at the end of a six-game road trip.

Corvallis had opportunities to break the game open, but the Knights were unable to take advantage. In the ninth, they had a runner thrown out at home for the first out of the inning, while in the second Alex Burg was thrown out while trying to steal home .

Bellingham twice turned double plays to get out of trouble. The Bells committed four errors.

Shortstop Richie Jimenez hit 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Knights’ offense, while Davis Duren had a double.

Jon Berger struck out five, walked one and allowed five hits in seven innings, while Geoff Nichols pitched a perfect eighth. Starr struck out two.

Corvallis stranded seven base runners.

The Knights scored in the second inning as Adam Melker walked, Burg singled to right, sending Melker to third. Dean Green popped up to second base. Melker then scored on a throwing error by pitcher Josh Fish and Ian Bridges was hit by a pitch. Jimenez singled to load the bases, but Duren struck out looking and Burg was thrown out at home to end the inning.

After Bellingham tied the score in the third, Corvallis took the lead again in the fifth when Logan Lotti lofted a one-out fly to center for a sacrifice.

The Knights host Richey’s Market tonight at Goss Stadium, then have two days off before hosting the Gresham Mountaineers on Thursday, followed by a three-game series with Kitsap.

Bellingham 4, Corvallis 3

CORVALLIS 010 010 001 — 3 7 0

BELLINGHAM 001 000 003 — 4 7 4

Berger, Nichols (8), Starr (9) and Bridges. Fish, Besaw (6) and George. WP: Besaw (1-1). LP: Starr (0-3). 2B: Duren (CK), Hardinger (BB), J. Locker (BB).

Hits: Corvallis 7 (Duren, Clontz, Melker, Burg, Stalker, Jimenez 2). Bellingham 7 (Hardinger, Rankin, Hennigs, J. Locker 3, Hatch)

RBIs: Corvallis 1 (Lotti). Bellingham 4 (Hart, Rankin, Hatch 2)