Catch-up mode...
After compiling a 3-1 record in the DeMarini Invitational, the Beavers started the Palm Springs Initational with a win on Thursday night, beating San Francisco 11-9.
The Beavers fell behind quickly in the top of the first inning, when the first three batters for the Dons all scored to begin the game. San Francisco leadoff man Zach Kim was walked by Oregon State starter Greg Peavey, and the next batter, Robert Abel, was hit by a pitch. Ryan Lampkin then singled through the left side to load the bases... all three would eventually score in the inning.
Trailing 3-0, the Beavers countered in the second inning with four runs. Logan Lotti and John Wallace both singled, then John Tommasini was hit by pitch to load the bases. A Joey Wong walk drove in Lotti from third. Then, Wallace, Tommasini, and Wong would score on Adalberto Santos' single to center field that was misplayed by San Francisco center fielder Connor Bernatz.
San Francisco would manufacture two runs in the top of the fifth to regain a 6-5 lead, then add another run in the top of the seventh.
Trailing 6-4, the Beavers broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning. Romero, Ortiz, and pinch hitter Koa Kahalhoe each got on base to begin the inning, with Koa driving in Romero for the first run of the inning on a single to right field. John Wallace walked to load the bases for Jared Norris, who singled off the glove of Don third baseman Dave Braunecker. Ortiz and Kahalehoe both scored on the play, giving the Beavers a 7-6 lead. Joey Wong's sacrafice fly would drive in Wallace from third, and Jared Norris would score in a first-and-third situation in which John Tommasini was tagged out at second to end the inning.
The Beavers would add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, due in part to a pitch that got past San Fransico catcher Ryan Limpkin and a fielding error by shortstop Derek Poppert. Stefen Romero and Ryan Ortiz both scored, giving the Beavers a 11-5 lead heading into the ninth inning.
The two runs from the eigth inning would prove to be crucial for the Beavers, as Oregon State pitcher Marc Grbavac quickly loaded the bases in the top of the ninth with two walks and a hit batter. The Bevers would go to the bullpen for freshman right-hander Sam Gaviglio, who allowed a 2-RBI double to shortstop Derek Poppert, pulling the Dons within three. However, Gaviglio then drew three straight groundouts to end the game and earn his first career save.
Marc Grbavac (1-0) earned the win for the Beavers. He went 1 and 2/3 innings, allowing three runs and three hits against the nine batters he faced. He walked two and struck out two.
Starter Greg Peavey went six innings, allowing five runs and seven hits while striking out four and walking one.
--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)