Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl

Just a couple weeks ago the West Coast League (WCL) turned to its second half. With a 10-16 record, the Ridgefield Raptors ended the half with losses in every game of a series against Corvallis. Bouncing back, the ‘Raps have won 13 in a row since being swept by the Knights and play the team again in a three-game series that starts on Tuesday at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC).

During their record-breaking win streak, the Raptors (23-16) have swept the Cowlitz Black Bears, Walla Walla Sweets, Springfield Drifters and Victoria Harbourcats. The Raptors also took down the Portland Pickles, winning 5-2 in a makeup game on Thursday night.

Utah Tech’s Hunter Katschke leads the ‘Raps with a .370 batting average. The Las Vegas native is on a seven-game hit streak and leads the team with four home runs. In relief, College of the Canyons right-hander Joseph Jasso has not allowed a run in nine innings. Hawaii’s Isaiah Magdaleno is second on the staff in ERA (0.42) and put up 11 strikeouts in a six inning win against the Harbourcats on Friday.

Corvallis (29-10) won the South Division in the first half of the season, securing a postseason spot for a chance to win its eighth straight WCL championship. The Knights enter the series against Ridgefield having lost two of their recent three games against the Bend Elks.

The Knights sent the most players to the WCL All-Star Game in Bellingham of any team in the South Division, with seven members of the team being named to the roster. Of the Knights picked for the All-Star team, Southern California’s Kevin Takeuchi leads the offense with a .331 batting average. The infielder has a league best 34 RBI and 14 doubles. On the mound, All-Star Kaden Segel has pitched to a low ERA (0.95) and did not allow a run in 6.2 innings against the Walla Walla Sweets in his last start.

All games in the series will begin at 6:35 p.m. Corvallis will host Game 2 at Goss Stadium in Corvallis. The Raptors will be the home team at the RORC for the first and last game of the series.

Tickets to the home games against Corvallis at the RORC are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to watch or listen to all games in the series will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps