{"id":695,"date":"2020-10-28T13:57:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T13:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/?p=695"},"modified":"2020-10-28T13:57:13","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T13:57:13","slug":"covid-19-pauses-corvallis-knights-memory-making-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/2020\/10\/28\/covid-19-pauses-corvallis-knights-memory-making-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Pauses Corvallis Knights Memory Making Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"Corvallis, Ore., Monday, Oct. 19, 2020<\/strong> \u2013 With fall here and summer past, the Corvallis Knights are looking ahead to the day the club can focus on its core purpose \u2013 the memory making business.<\/p>\n

The hometown team is an optimistic bunch and preparing for its return to Goss Stadium in 2021. In the wise and enthusiastic words of popular Knights assistant coach Youngjin Yoon, we have to, that\u2019s it<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur front office is already reaching out to season-ticket holders and community partners as we are planning and preparing for the 2021 season. It is refreshing to catch up with our fans and hear how excited they are for the return of the Corvallis Knights,\u201d said team president\/GM Bre Miller.<\/p>\n

COVID-19 may have robbed fans, players and staff of a 2020 season, but it can\u2019t take away all the uplifting memories from seasons\u2019 past, including a record-breaking 2019 summer that featured another West Coast League title, record attendance and recognition as Perfect Game\u2019s<\/em> Summer Collegiate Team of the Year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Knights Baseball Club\u2019s 30th<\/sup> campaign was definitely magical and no doubt a peak season among a long list of extraordinary Corvallis summers and Knights experiences.<\/p>\n

THE BEST MEMORIES LIST<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 West Coast League titles in 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with all championships clinched at Goss Stadium; dogpiles lead the list of memories
\n\u2013 Sellouts and spectacular fireworks displays each July 3rd<\/sup> at Goss (compliments of Oregon State Credit Union); it\u2019s a summer highlight for all and Corvallis tradition
\n\u2013 Each summer starting up with Goss Stadium packed with elementary school students on Science, Engineering & Art Day; oh the energy and the noise, we love it
\n\u2013 Appearances by the world famous San Diego Chicken and ZOOperstars! over the years; outrageous fun for fans, players and staff\u2026so many smiles and laughs at Goss
\n\u2013 Big Jim Murphy\u2019s mammoth eighth-inning two-run blast at Goss to put Corvallis up 4-3<\/a> over Kitsap, a lead Greg Peavey would hold propelling the Knights to an intense 2007 decisive Divisional Series game victory, the team\u2019s first West Coast Collegiate Baseball League playoff series win. The victors were coached by first-year skipper Matt Dorey now the Senior Vice President of Player Development for the Chicago Cubs
\n\u2013 Future big leaguer Josh Osich pitching a gem in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series finale at Goss in 2008, showing off his mid 90s fastball as the Knights clinched their first ever league title with a 4-1 win over Wenatchee<\/a>
\n\u2013 Smooth-fielding Richie Jimenez wrapping his two-year run with the Knights with a 2009 WCL MVP award; the first of many championship shortstops that showcased their extraordinary grit and talents like Trent Oleszczuk, Peter Van Gansen, Andy Atwood, Chad Stevens, Beau Philip and Brooks Lee
\n\u2013 The atmosphere at the 2011 WCL All-Star Game<\/a> at a packed Goss (2,517 in attendance) and Knights\u2019 slugger Sean Myrom winning the Home Run Derby; it was a celebration of Corvallis, the organization and of a rising summer collegiate league
\n\u2013 Future big leaguer Greg Mahle\u2019s dazzling no-hitter<\/a> vs. Cowlitz at Goss Stadium in 2012, and the lefty banged out four hits that night too
\n\u2013 Jorge Perez\u2019s two-hit West Coast League Championship Series (WCLCS) masterpiece; a 1-0 shutout in the 2013 finale<\/a> vs. Wenatchee at Goss, dogpiling before dusk (game duration of 1 hr, 28 min)
\n\u2013 A monster walk-off playoff homer by slugger Kevin Kline to beat rival Bend in the 2014 Divisional Series, a two-run shot to left that delivered a 2-1 win<\/a> and the series sweep
\n\u2013 Marveling at the talent and presence of team MVP and future big leaguer Nick Madrigal<\/a> over the long summer of 2015
\n\u2013 Most clutch \u201crelay\u201d ever (sorry Wallace to Barney to Canham, ok maybe second most clutch relay) in the 2016 WCLCS finale vs. Bellingham at Goss; it was Kyle Nobach (cf), to Matt Kelly (2b), to Zak Taylor<\/a> (c) in the eighth-inning to squelch a Bells\u2019 rally and keep the Knights up 5-4. The Knights would go on to win 6-4<\/a> to capture the title. The inning prior, Roman Garcia put the Knights ahead with a two-run bomb in arguably the most compelling home playoff game in Knights history
\n\u2013 Team MVP Jordan Qsar (2017) blasting homers over the Goss scoreboard in right-center, absolutely scorching WCL pitching and setting new Knights\u2019 power marks<\/a>; so many wow moments
\n\u2013 So many momentum catches by three-year Knight outfielder Emilio Alcantar at Goss Stadium, a real fan favorite.
\n\u2013 While Emilio created great buzz, another outfielder made a diving grab vs. Wenatchee that Knights\u2019 fans and coaches are still talking about to this day. That playmaker was future big leaguer Mitch Haniger, a 2010 All-WCL selection. His eighth-inning web gem started a DP for the ages, holding off the Sox in a 4-2 win<\/a>. We\u2019re not sure we\u2019ve seen a better or more impactful play by a center fielder at Goss
\n\u2013 Never seen before steal of home in the 2019 WCLCS finale vs. Victoria by Knights\u2019 veteran Andy Atwood, with the bases loaded! It was a freaking triple steal, and the game\u2019s first run, as Corvallis went on to capture its fourth straight WCL title with a 11-1 shellacking<\/a> of the HarbourCats. The excitement and energy ignited by this play was an exclamation point to a dream season and another exceptional summer by Everett\u2019s finest \u2013 the uber talented infielder\/outfielder Andy Atwood.
\n\u2013 Being awed by Brooks Lee\u2019s wizardry at shortstop in 2019, likely the top prospect to excel at Goss Stadium like ever, well at least since infielder Nick Madrigal and catcher Adley Rutschman (who got his first taste of college ball with the Knights in 2016)
\n\u2013 Admiring the craftsmanship of the WCL hit king, Jake Holcroft (2019); the sweet left-handed swing, all the hits, the hustle and a bat for the ages
\n\u2013 Hometown kid makes great, WCL MVP Briley Knight, head coach Brooke Knight\u2019s son, did it all in 2019; crushing baseballs, bringing the energy and patrolling center field like a boss<\/p>\n

Following the 2019 season, the team\u2019s momentum was monumental, and its players were poised for big 2020 springs. But it all stopped in March and we continue in a paused state, for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been so fortunate to be part of this amazing organization,\u201d said Knights\u2019 skipper Brooke Knight. \u201cSure, I\u2019ve always loved baseball and the competitive atmosphere that encompasses my summer nights.\u00a0But to think about all of the relationships, the long bus rides, and all of the amazing memories that we have made over the years.\u00a0It has just been so special.\u00a0I appreciate those times even more these days, and I can\u2019t wait to strap it on with our crew again and make a run at another WCL title.\u201d<\/p>\n

As mentioned in our list, players like Jake Holcroft of University of Portland, Brooks Lee of Cal Poly and Briley Knight, now of University of Portland, were riding high<\/a> and eager for fall\/spring baseball.<\/p>\n

Holcroft, who had redshirted due to an injury in 2019, showed off his extraordinary hit tool in 2020 as the freshman outfielder collected the second most hits<\/a> of all NCAA DI players and was named a Freshman All-American. He was rolling, as were the Pilots. Jake would later play in a local Portland area summer league, the Wild Wild West League for coach Knight and his West Linn Knights, and earn MVP honors.<\/p>\n

Lee suffered an injury that kept him out of action for the first part of 2020, but he beat his rehab\/recovery schedule and made his Mustangs debut before the season was cancelled. He was recently named the #3 overall prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft<\/a> by Baseball America<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Knight was at University of Utah when COVID put an end to the collegiate spring season. While home for summer, he made the decision to transfer to Portland<\/a> where he will join his former Knights\u2019 teammates Chad Stevens, Jake Holcroft, Trace Tammaro, Nicholas Klemp and Jacob Dobmeier in their quest for a West Coast Conference title.<\/p>\n

For the Knights, like most, it\u2019s been a sad period as not only have we missed our fans and players, we\u2019ve missed out on memories not to mention experienced other painful losses.<\/p>\n

We as an organization felt awful for longtime coaching friend Gary Van Tol<\/a> and his student-athletes who lost their spring program because of COVID, as Boise State dropped baseball shortly after its resurrection (a COVID related financial casualty). And we lost one of our absolute favorites with the passing of dedicated partner and friend Mike Gillespie (legendary head coach at UC Irvine and USC).<\/p>\n

Also, our amazing director of hospitality Jennifer Beaumont was diagnosed with cancer, a gut punch for the team. She\u2019s currently battling, and fighting to get healthy for next year. It just seems like 2020 just keeps piling on.<\/p>\n

But again, we have our memories that we can savor, and that make us better appreciate our good fortune and amazing partners. In the words of Master Yoon, we will stand tall.<\/p>\n

With that said, we introduced an online coaching video series<\/a> starring Yoon, recently wrapped a fundraising campaign to help out with wildfire relief efforts in our area and have been enjoying Summer Knights Kolsch in a can (more on that later). We were able to donate $2,500 to the United Way<\/a> thanks to the efforts of the team\u2019s front office and support of its fans. But back to the Kolsch, thanks to longtime partner Block 15<\/a> Brewing our Summer Knights<\/em> beer was canned this year for fans (and many in our front office) to reminisce about games at the ballpark.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s been tough for all, the organization responded to the COVID-19 threat with great urgency. The club implemented mitigation measures in February and subsequently secured a SBA loan in the spring to keep its front office intact through the year.<\/p>\n

Because of ongoing COVID concerns, the office is closed to guests, but our staff has been active in the community and is looking forward to further engaging with fans and partners this fall\/winter.<\/p>\n

What 2021 looks like is still unclear, but the Corvallis Knights are signing high caliber players, the West Coast League is working on scheduling options and the team is excited to announce that season tickets will go sale on November 2.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve never been more appreciative of our fans, our partner schools, our partnership with Oregon State and our growing summer collegiate league as during these unprecedented times.<\/p>\n

We are well positioned to return strong and thrive thanks to our fan base, host families, long-term sponsors and relationships with schools like longtime partners OSU, Portland, Cal Poly, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside; and new partners like Cal State Fullerton, Stanford, Utah, UCLA, Gonzaga and Cal State Northridge.<\/p>\n

One thing we know for sure, we believe wholeheartedly in bringing community together at Goss Stadium, making memories and entertaining. We need each other, and there is no better social space than the ballpark.<\/p>\n

Be kind to each other and please be healthy. Let\u2019s move positively towards being social again, as we think we\u2019re all anxious to hear \u201cPlay Ball\u201d again and there is no better place to be than at the home of champions \u2013 OSU\u2019s Goss Stadium.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s where the good times roll.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, enjoy your baseball memories, be safe and stay in touch by following the hometown team on its social media channels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Corvallis, Ore., Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 \u2013 With fall here and summer past, the Corvallis Knights are looking ahead to the day the club can focus on its core purpose \u2013 the memory making business. The hometown team is an optimistic bunch and preparing for its return to Goss Stadium in 2021. In the wise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[45,9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":697,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions\/697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schultzwebdesign.se\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}