Pippins Struggle Offensively, Swept by Corvallis

YAKIMA, Wash. – The Yakima Valley Pippins managed just one hit over nine innings on Monday, falling in the series finale to Corvallis, 11-0, allowing the Knights to complete a 3-game series sweep at Yakima County Stadium.

From the jump, Corvallis (9-6) left-hander Chase Watkins overpowered the Pippins (8-10) lineup. After surging for 7 runs on 12 hits on Sunday, Watkins carved through the Pippins’ starting nine, allowing just two walks and one bloop single over 6 scoreless innings. That was more than enough for a strong day from the Corvallis offense.

Owen Cobb had the only hit of the day for the Pippins in the fifth inning. He hit a high fly ball to shallow left-center field, but miscommunication between Corvallis shortstop Michael Currialle and left fielder Jake Holcroft allowed the ball to drop. With Knights relievers Trevor Bateson, Nick Caviglia, and Trace Hokkanen all firing scoreless frames, that miscommunication proved to be the difference from a one-hitter and a potential no-hitter.

Pippins pitching was not its usual strong self, either, with Mark Woinarowicz struggling through a four-inning start. After falling behind early in the first inning off of an RBI infield single from Briley Knight, Woinarowicz ended up giving up 6 more runs, including 5 in a hectic fourth inning for Corvallis. They used three singles, two hit-by-pitches, and a double to tack 4 on Woinarowicz, who took his second loss of the year after allowing 7 runs (5 earned) on 9 hits, no walks, and 5 strikeouts.

Jack Gonzales was strong in relief of Woinarowicz, allowing just one unearned run on four hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts in 4 innings of work. Darius Garcia allowed 3 runs, one of them earned, in the ninth, allowed Corvallis to extend their lead to 11-0.

Offensively, Holcroft was a menace for the Knights, reaching in his first five plate appearances (a double, three singles, and a hit-by-pitch) before Garcia got him to strike out swinging in the ninth. Jake Harvey and Andy Atwood also added multi-hit days for Corvallis, with Atwood collecting a pair of RBI doubles.

The Pippins, having concluded the 7-game homestand at 2-5, hit the road for six games beginning on Tuesday in Port Angeles. Joe Magrisi, the reigning West Coast League Pitcher of the Week, gets the ball in the series opener at Civic Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM PT. Pregame coverage with Miles Klotz begins at pippinsbaseball.com/live at 6:20 PM.

By Miles Klotz

June 25, 2019