KEIZER, ORE. – The Knappa Loggers scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a 10-9 win over Reedsport in the 2A/1A baseball state championship game Friday.

The Braves built a 9-3 by scoring in at least one run in each of the first five innings. Knappa trailed by six to start the final frame, but Reedsport starting pitcher Dallas McGill started to struggle with his accuracy.

Three Reedsport pitchers threw in the seventh inning, but they all struggled with the strike zone. McGill walked a hitter, beaned a batter, and gave up a single to load the bases with no outs. He was relieved by Kyle Barnes, who beaned the next two hitters to bring in two runs.

Leading 9-5 with no outs and the bases loaded, Reedsport brought in Joe Hixenbaugh to pitch. Hixenbaugh gave up a single to the first batter he faced and Knappa trailed 9-6. The next two batters struck out and Reedsport was one out away from its first baseball state championship.

Knappa wasn’t ready to give in though. The Loggers scored twice more on bases loaded walks and Reuben Acosta-Cruz delivered the game-winning hit, driving in two on a single to left field.

Reedsport……….. 212 220 0 – 9 8 4
Knappa………….. 000 102 7 – 10 7 3
Win – Eli Takalo. Loss – J. Hixenbaug.
2B – D. McGill; G. Lavigne. 3B – J. Hixenbaug.