Coming off two tough losses in the San Deigo State Tournament, the Beavers responded on Sunday with a come from behind 12-10 win over the Santa Clara Broncos. After trailing 10-2 in the third, the Beavers scored ten straight runs to win the game. Ryan Ortiz's grand slam in the six run fourth inning was the highlight of the game for Oregon State, who moves to 5-5 on the year with the win.
Freshman Greg Peavey started the game for the Beavers and went two and a third innings, giving up seven runs along the way. Five of those were earned, and Greg struck out six batters on the afternoon. Blake Keitzman pitched just over three innings in relief, and Mark Grbavac pitched two innings behind him. Mark picked up the win when Oregon State rallied back in the late innings. Closer Kevin Rhoderick slammed the door on the Broncos in the bottom of the ninth, earning his third save of the season.
Santa Clara's first batter scored in the bottom of the first, giving the Broncos a 1-0 lead. Oregon State took the lead 2-1 with two runs in the second and third innings, but Santa Clara blew the door open in their half of the third. Peavey gave up a walk to the first Bronco hitter of the inning, and Brady Fuerst, the SCU second baseman, doubled to put two on with no outs. Leadoff man Matt Long hit a bases clearing triple, scoring two. Six more Santa Clara runs would come across in the inning, thanks to an error, two hit batters, a walk, and yet another triple. Santa Clara took a 10-2 lead into the top of the fourth.
But the Beavers didn't let Santa Clara hold a large lead for long. Lonnie Lechelt singled to start the inning, then a double by Chris Hopkins put two runners in scoring position for Joey Wong. Joey stretched his hitting streak to nine games with a 2-RBI base hit, moving the score to 10-4. Jason Ogata was hit by a pitch and Drew George walked, loading the bases for catcher Ryan Ortiz. Ryan took SCU starter Donald Brandt to the fence for his first home run of the season, a Grand Slam, pulling the Beavers to within two.
The Beavers wouldn't put another run across in the fourth, but continued to cut distance when John Tommasini scored in the top of the fifth. The Beavers needed a three run eighth inning to complete the comeback and take the lead for good. Daniel Robertson, Ryan Ortiz, and John Wallace were the three Beavers to score in the inning.
Oregon State's defense held Santa Clara scoreless in the final six innings, mostly thanks to the work of the bullpen. Only two hits were given up in those six innings.
With the win, the Beavers advance to 1-2 in the tournament. The final game will take place Monday at 1:00 p.m. against San Diego State.
GO BEAVERS!
--JB--