Oregon St. Bounces Back To Blast San Diego

Final Score: Oregon St. 14 San Diego 5

Second ranked Oregon St. bounced back from their worst game of the season Thursday night, a 7-4 loss in which the Beavers committed 5 errors, to blast host San Diego 14-5. The differences were a 7 run 4th inning by the Beavers, and 6 errors by the Toreros, a reversal of the opening game, gaff wise.

It wasn't a thing of beauty by either team, with 8 total errors, and even more wild pitches. Oregon St. improved defensively over their Thursday night debacle, but still suffered 2 errors.

It looked like it would be an easy evening for Oregon St. starter Matt Boyd when the first 3 Beaver batters got hits, beginning with freshman Jeff Hendrix, who was making only his second ever start, in center field, and all 3 scored. But in typical Beaver fashion, Oregon St. stranded 2 runners in scoring position, and Boyd struggled, giving up a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning, as Kris Bryant, the nation's leader in home runs, picked up his 2nd round tripper of the series, and 14th of the season.

Michael Conforto came up with a diving catch in deep left center to keep the Beavers ahead, but only briefly, as Jerod Smith led off the second inning with a double, and went on to score.

The 7 run 4th inning looked like it would be the difference in the game, and when the Beavers pushed 3 more runs across in the 6th inning, Oregon St. coach Pat Casey decided to pull Boyd early, though he had thrown 90 pitches to that point.

Tony Bryant came in and was ineffective, as San Diego promptly jumped on him for 2 runs. That prompted Casey to use usual Saturday starter Andrew Moore in relief, and the Toreros got another run off him, pulling within 13-5.

Moore settle down and shut out San Diego the rest of the way, and Oregon St. added a run in the 8th for the 9 run final margin.

Boyd got the win, improving to 6-0 for the season, while San Diego starter Dylan Covey, who didn't survive the explosive 4th inning, took the loss, dropping him to 1-3 for the year. Covey gave up 9 hits and 3 walks, resulting in 8 runs, 7 of them earned.

In all, 5 San Diego pitchers uncorked a combined 8 wild pitches to go along with the season high 18 hits Oregon St. pounded out, as all 9 starters had at least one hit.

Hendrix went 2 for 4, with an RBI and 2 runs scored, before inexplicably being pulled part way through the game. Ryan Barnes had 2 hits and scored twice, and Conforto went 2 for 5, with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, and also drew a walk.

Danny Hayes had a good night, going 3 for 5, plus a walk, for an RBI and 2 runs scored, and Kavin Keyes was also 3 for 5, and had 2 RBIs and scored twice. Jake Rodriguez, who played second base instead of catching tonight, went 3 for 4. Dylan Davis also had a multiple hit night.

The 1,155 fans on hand could easily have seen even more scoring, as each team left 10 runners on base.

K. Bryant's home run was the spectacular hit of the night, but it was leadoff hitter Lucas Hagberg that had the best night for San Diego. with 3 RBIs, including a 2 RBI double in the 6th inning.

The curious move to use up Moore in relief means Ben Wetzler will likely get the start tomorrow, in the deciding game of the series, which will start at 1 PM.

Expect to see a healthy dose of Scott Schultz and Max Engelbrekt, who are about the only bullpen pitchers Casey hasn't used in the very odd first 2 games, as well.

Oregon St. improved to 22-3 for the season, and San Diego dropped to 17-10.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com