LEWISTON, Idaho – Sophomore Tyler Knigge enjoyed a second straight outstanding outing by Lewis-Clark State College starting pitcher as he gave up just three hits over seven innings to help the Warriors to a 4-3 victory over Corban College at LCSC’s Harris Field on Friday night.
Knigge allowed just one run and struck out seven to improve to 1-0 on the season. The right-hander didn’t give up a walk, but hit two batters.
It was the second straight strong performance by a starter for the Warriors, now 7-3 overall. On Wednesday Tom Peale struck out eight over seven innings in a 7-1 win over Gonzaga.
Knigge was relieved by Zach Clanton, who pitched the final two innings to earn the save, but after retiring the first five batters he faced, things got interesting.
LCSC led 4-1 going into the top of the ninth and Clanton got two quick outs on grounders to LCSC shortstop Todd Muecklisch, who had an outstanding defensive game. Taylor Stiles then picked up the first hit off of Clanton and designated hitter Russ Johnston followed with a two-run home run to left field. Trevor Winsor hit a double down the left-field line to put the tying run on second, but Clanton got Taylor Wyatt to ground out to first to end the game.
Knigge, who played his senior year at Lewiston High School, was making his fourth outing of the season and gave up his first earned run. He has now pitched 17 innings, allowed just eight eights and one earned run. He’s also struck out 17 and walked just two.
Corban’s only run off Knigge came in the sixth inning when Josh Warner hit a one-out triple to left-center field. He then scored on Taylor Stiles’ ground out to short.
By then, LCSC had pushed across three runs for a 3-1 lead.
The Warriors broke the scoreless tie in the second inning when Rene Escobar hit a one-out double down the left-field line. Matt Allen then singled him to third and Crispin Tarango followed with a grounder that was booted by the Corban second baseman, which allowed Escobar to score and Allen to reach third. Kyle Melton’s squeeze bunt scored Allen.
After leaving the bases loaded in the fourth, the Warriors made it 3-1 in the fifth. Paul Martin started the rally with a walk and advanced to third on a single by Sean Halton. Bernard Pena then singled in Martin.
The Warriors’ final run came in the bottom of the sixth when Melton was hit by a pitch with two outs and stole second for only the Warriors’ third stolen base of the season. Todd Muecklisch then singled to center, which scored Melton.
Corban starter Jason Braun allowed eight hits over seven innings and three earned runs. He also walked two and struck out four in falling to 0-3 on the season.
Muecklisch, Halton and Allen all had two hits apiece for LCSC, while Martin saw his nine-game hitting streak to start the season come to an end.
Stiles had two hits for Corban, which falls to 2-7.
The two teams meet again on Saturday in an 11 a.m. doubleheader. Originally, the three games were scheduled to be played in Salem, Ore., but the field conditions there were unplayable and the series was moved to Lewiston. The two teams will play in Salem in late March.
