Jake Knop, who has earned a reputation as a slick-fielding shortstop for Portland High, uncharacteristically made three errors Thursday in an opener against Biddeford at Hadlock Field.

So what happened? Knop relied on his bat instead, hitting the seventh-inning single that produced a 4-3 walk-off victory.

After Thomas Joyce led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to right-center, pinch-runner Cameron King took third on a wild pitch.

Following a fly to shallow center, Knop worked the count full before blistering a fastball deep into the left-center alley to win it.

“Obviously I had a pretty bad game to start but I was just trying to do something to contribute,” said Knop. “I just got up there and swung, I guess. I’ve never faced this kid before but I was watching him pitch and I was definitely looking fastball. Just looking for something to drive and get that runner in.”

Biddeford wasted no time getting to Bulldogs starter Dan Marzilli. Kerry Crepeau (2 for 4) laced the second pitch into left field for a single. Crepeau’s left-handed brother Brady – also the starting pitcher for the Tigers – then hit a line drive over third base into the left-field corner for an RBI double.

Two batters later, Joey Curit singled home Brady Crepeau with a bouncer into left field to make it 2-0.

From there Marzilli settled in, surrendering two more hits while working into the sixth inning.

“He did a great job,” said Knop. “If I was a pitcher and my field guys were making errors like I was, I’d be pretty angry. He did a great job keeping his head in it, and grinded it out himself.”

Added Portland Coach Mike Rutherford: “The first two innings, (Marzilli) was either 1-0 or 2-0 on every batter, and he needs to get ahead and throw his curveball. Once he gets ahead, he’s pretty good. It’s like any pitcher. Biddeford is a scrappy team and they put some good wood on the ball in the first two innings, but give him credit, after the first two innings he settled down.”

Crepeau was masterful on the mound early, keeping Portland hitless for the first three innings. John Williams (1 for 3, two stolen bases) finally registered the first Bulldogs hit with a smash through the box.

Nick Archambault followed by unloading a triple over the center fielder’s head, then scoring to tie the game when Marzilli singled to left.

The Tigers jumped back ahead in the top of the sixth. Colin Lavigne led off with a single to right, stole second, then advanced to third when Williams, Portland’s first baseman, made an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory.

Lavigne scampered home on a wild pitch by reliever Charles Barnard to push Biddeford ahead 3-2. Barnard went on to retire all five hitters he faced, striking out two and earning the win.

In the bottom of the sixth, Archambault led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Joe Fusco singled to right-center to tie the game, setting up Knop’s walk-off winner in the seventh.

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