RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Raptors lit the fuse early but couldn’t ignite the offense.
A Fourth of July crowd saw the Raptors fall to the Corvallis Knights 2-1 on Thursday at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.
Ridgefield’s effort to end a four-game skid started promisingly. Taylor Takata led off the first inning with a double then scored on Hunter Katschke’s infield single.
The Raptors had several changes after Corvallis took the lead with two runs in the third inning. Ridgefield stranded multiple runners on base in three of the final five innings.
Still, Ridgefield (10-16) went toe to toe with the seven-time defending league champion Knights (22-5). Thursday was a second one-run defeat after the Raptors fell 7-5 in the series opener Tuesday in Corvallis.
“It shows us that we can compete with any team and any pitcher,” Ridgefield catcher Justin Stransky said. “We saw some really good arms this week, good fastballs, live sliders. We’re one swing away in each game from winning all three.”
Stransky, who went 2 for 3, had the best view of a solid pitching day for Ridgefield. Curtis Hebert struck out six over five innings, allowing four hits. Connor Abadie and Joseph Jasso each pitched two scoreless innings in relief.
“They threw their fastballs really well,” Stransky said. “I guess we threw 75 to 80 percent fastballs today, mixing them in and mixing them out. If you can do that you’re going to be pretty effective.”
Thursday’s game brought an end to the first half of the West Coast League season. Ridgefield is now on even footing with its South Division rivals in the quest for the second-half title and a postseason berth.
“The second half is a whole new deal,” Stransky said. “It’s a reset button. We’ve got our guys now, the guys who are bought in. We’re ready to go.”
Three moments
So close — Dasan Harris nearly tied the game in the bottom of the ninth. But Corvallis right fielder CJ Colyer made a leaping catch at the top of the fence for the inning’s second out.
Corvallis cashes in — Kevin Takeuchi had what turned out to be the game’s biggest hit in the third inning. His two-out double down the third-base line scored two runners and gave the Knights the lead.
Sweet relief — Ridgefield threatened in the sixth inning after Stransky was hit by a pitch and Brody Mills drew a two-out walk. Corvallis called on left-hander Dominic Tatone, who got a groundout to end the inning.
Three players
Curtis Hebert — The Ridgefield right-hander turned in his second straight quality start. Hebert (University of Portland) has allowed just two earned runs over 16 innings after throwing six shutout innings against Portland on June 28.
Hunter Katschke — The Raptors No. 3 hitter stayed hot, going 2 for 4. Katschke (Utah Tech) has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games and has a team-best batting average of .362.
Jackson Flora — The Corvallis starter pitched five solid innings, allowing four hits and striking out three. The run in the first was the first allowed in his three starts this season.
Three numbers
3 — Players who made their home debut for the Raptors on Thursday. Julian Nunez (Pepperdine) started at shortstop after playing the prior two games in Corvallis. Colby Wallace (Cal State Fullerton) made his season debut, starting in left field. Connor Abadie (San Diego State) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for his season debut.
.239 — The batting average Ridgefield’s pitching staff has held its opponents to. Only six pitching staffs in the league are stingier.
.220 — Ridgefield’s batting average at the midway point of the season, the second lowest in the league.
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