The Portland Pickles defeated the Corvallis Knights 4-1 on Wednesday night, propelling them to the West Coast League championship game and ending the Knights’ season. 

The Knights’ seven-year reign atop the WCL came to an abrupt halt. The atmosphere at Goss Stadium was a tale of two fanbases, with Portland fans making themselves heard with raucous cheers throughout a contest they never trailed.

The first few innings were tense, with both teams battling for control. 

Portland’s Cody Kashimoto set the tone early, advancing to first on a single in the first inning. The crack of the bat as it connected with the ball was sharp and clean, a sound that signaled the Pickles meant business. However, Corvallis’ defense quickly responded, as Aaron Barber was put out on a fielder’s choice, snuffing out the early momentum. 

On the flip side, the Knights struggled to find their rhythm. Thomas Ferroggiaro managed to reach first on a walk in the bottom of the opening inning, but the Knights couldn’t capitalize, with Ty Yukumoto flying out to left field. 

By the second inning, the Pickles began to break through. Alex Gouveia’s double was a moment of pure exhilaration for the away crowd as Gouveia raced to second. Moments later, Diego Castellanos brought Gouveia home with a sacrifice fly to left field, giving the Pickles the lead and sending their fans into a frenzy. 

The Knights, now trailing, could feel the pressure mounting.

Luke Lavin’s run, driven in by a Ty Yukumoto single in the bottom of the third, was the Knights’ only run of the game. They could not compete with Portland’s 15 hits, recording only four of their own and half of them off of Lavin’s bat.

In the fifth inning, Gabe Hernandez came in to pitch for Corvallis, replacing Cohen Gomez. The inning started with Aaron Barber hitting a single, followed by Armando Briseño reaching first with a single, which advanced Barber to second. Tanner Griffith then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Barber to third and Briseño to second, but was put out at first for the first out. 

Gouveia then helped Portland seize the lead with a single, driving in both Barber and Briseño to score two earned runs. With a 3-1 lead, the home crowd went silent, contemplating the potential that another title would not be won.

The inning concluded with Josh Schleichardt hitting into a double play after Gouveia was picked off at first base, bringing the inning to a close with Pickle posse chanting “Go Pickles!” continuously.

As the game wore on, the Knights were unable to muster another rally. The sound of the final out, Lavin’s shot to left field hitting Kashimoto’s glove, signified that the Knights’ dynasty was no more. 

The Pickles, led by their adoring crowd, had done what few thought possible: they dethroned the champions.

Key players for the Pickles made their mark throughout the game. Alex Gouveia was a force at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI’s, his hits providing the offensive spark Portland needed to overcome the Knights’ defense. Kashimoto contributed two hits, one run and the play that ended the game.

On the mound, the Pickles’ pitching staff delivered when it mattered most. Murphy Gienger, relieved in the fifth inning, kept the Knights’ batters in check, allowing only one run while striking out four. Chris Downs was also crucial, pitching four innings and giving up no runs or hits while striking out four.

The Knights’ pitchers could not emulate their counterparts’ performances. Cohen Gomez gave up five hits in four innings with an error. Gabe Hernandez gave up three hits and two runs with two errors in only two innings. Sean Wiese, pitching for only a third of an inning, gave up three hits, one run, and an error before being relieved.

As the final out was recorded and the Pickles celebrated their victory, the reality of the moment began to sink in for the Knights and their fans. 

The streak was over. 

Seven consecutive WCL titles had concluded on a night when the Portland Pickles and their Pickle posse proved too much to handle. The Pickles’ fans chanting and cheering in the stands was the last thing the Knights heard as they walked off the field, their dreams of another championship dashed by a team that refused to back down.

Acutely aware of the next game, the Pickle posse chanted, “Friday! Friday!” as the final out was recorded, referencing the WCL championship game on Friday night.

For the Knights, they will look to regroup and prepare for next season, with Corvallis player Thomas Ferrogiaro saying after the game:

“A coach once told me that there are no losers, just learners. And we’re gonna learn.”