CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Port Angeles Lefties got off to a rough start against perennial West Coast League powerhouse Corvallis, losing the first two games of their road series Friday and Saturday.
The Lefties lost 11-1 Friday and 10-6 Saturday. Sunday’s game was a night game after press deadline.
Corvallis has won five straight WCL championships and has proved to be one of the tougher teams for the Lefties to beat since they joined the league.
Port Angeles had chances to win Saturday but couldn’t hold on to an early 6-1 lead.
The Lefties went into the bottom of the sixth up by five but allowed five runs in the bottom of the inning, with the big blow a three-run home run to the Knights’ Brady Lavoie, then another four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Corvallis held the Lefties scoreless over the final four innings and went on to win 10-6.
The Lefties got off to a great start, scoring three runs in the first, one in the second and two more in the fourth. Meanwhile, starter Zane Petty had a great game, going four innings, allowing two hits, three walks and one earned run. He struck out one.
But relievers Liam Paddack and Nelson Smith struggled. They combined to go 2⅔ innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits and five walks, with Nelson taking the loss. Andrew Monson pitched well in relief, going 1⅔ innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs. He struck out two.
For the Lefties, Adam Paganelli went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Ben Steck went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Jesh Leckey was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Will Mulflur was 2-for-4 with a run scored, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base. Former Port Angeles Roughrider Ethan Flodstrom had a hit.
The Lefties were overwhelmed by the Knights in Friday’s game, losing 11-1. Lefties pitchers actually did well after the third inning, only allowing two runs over the final six innings of the game.
Hunter Kirkpatrick started for the Lefties and took the loss, allowing eight earned runs. Dillon Dibrell pitched well in relief, going four innings and allowing three hits and one earned run. He walked one and struck out seven. Traye Maeker pitched a scoreless inning and struck out one.
Anthony Kodama went 2-for-4 with a double, while Mulflur was 1-for-4. Corvallis pitchers allowed just six hits in the game.
Port Angeles (11-17, WCL, 13-18 overall) has today off, then returns to Civic Field at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday to begin a nonleague three-game series against the Highline Bears. The Lefties play 18 games at Civic Field in July.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
