Elks toss shutout to extend playoff series

Published: August 13. 2009 4:00AM PST

CORVALLIS � Needing a win to keep his team�s season alive, Bend pitcher Peter Lavin threw a three-hit shutout on Wednesday to lead the Elks to a 1-0 victory over the Corvallis Knights at Goss Stadium.

The left-handed Lavin, who has committed to play at the University of San Francisco in the fall, struck out six and walked two to help even the West Coast League West Divisional series at one game apiece. The Elks and the Knights play the series-deciding Game Three tonight at Goss Stadium, with the winner advancing to the WCL Championship Series against either Wenatchee or Kelowna.

Lavin and Corvallis pitcher Kyle Kraus both threw well, giving up just nine hits between the two of them. Kraus, who also pitched nine innings, struck out three and walked two.

With the game still tied 0-0 after six complete innings, the Elks scored what turned out to be the winning run in the top of the seventh. Bend center fielder Bobby Crocker led off the inning with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. The very next batter, Crook County High School graduate Garrett Queen, doubled down the left-field line, bringing home Crocker for the game�s only run.

With a one-run lead, Lavin dominated the final three innings. Arguably Bend�s best hitter and pitcher this season, Lavin did not allow a hit after the sixth inning and retired the final nine Corvallis batters of the game.

Queen, who will be a sophomore at the University of Portland in the fall, led all batters on Wednesday, going two for four with the game�s only run batted in. Crocker also went two for four and was the only runner to score for either team. No player for Corvallis had more than one hit.