Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
After a 54-game season against the West Coast League (WCL), the Ridgefield Raptors start the 2024 postseason with a hope to win their first league championship. On Saturday night, the ‘Raps will kick off a best of three series against the Corvallis Knights at home.
Ridgefield (31-23) qualified for the postseason for the fourth time in five years. The Raptors lost two of three in Walla Walla to end the regular season and are 0-6 against Corvallis this season.
Entering the playoffs, the Raptors hope catchers Justin Stransky and Luke Iverson will continue to produce offensively. Stransky is second on the ‘Raps in batting average (.364) and home runs (four). As a team, the Raptors have a 4.38 team ERA, sixth in the WCL. The Ridgefield pitching staff is fifth in strikeouts (409).
Corvallis (41-13) ended its season in Victoria, taking two of three against the HarbourCats. The Knights last played the Raptors from July 23 – 25 and won all three games in the second half series.
Under longtime head coach Brooke Knight, Corvallis is third in the WCL in batting average (.275). Southern California’s Kevin Takeuchi leads the roster with a .323 batting average and is first in home runs (five) and RBI (45). On the mound, the Knights have enjoyed the services of Portland Kaden Segel. The right-hander is undefeated in his five decisions (5-0) and pitched to a 1.84 ERA in 11 appearances and five starts. Segel has only walked five hitters but struck out 30 this season.
The game of the series will begin at 6:35 p.m. at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC). Game 2 and Game 3 (if necessary) will be played at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, with both start times scheduled for 6:35 p.m., as well.
Tickets to the home game against the Knights at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC) are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to watch or listen to the games against Corvallis will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps