Moore Even More Dominating As Oregon St. Wins Again

Final Score: Oregon St. 5 California 0

California was still feeling the stinging effects of the Killer Bees from Friday night when Matt Boyd held the Bears to 3 hits when they ran into an even "Moore" dominant pitching performance Saturday. Specifically, by Andrew Moore. The freshman from North Eugene shut down the Bears, limiting them to only 2 hits as Oregon St. shut out California 5-0.

It was Moore's first collegiate complete game, and the 9th shutout of the season by the Beavers, most ever in any season by Oregon St. It was also the 5th series in a row, and 8th of the season, where the Beavers have shut out an opponent.

Moore was especially efficient, needing only 87 pitches, and as a result he got to complete his game, and needed only 3 minutes more than 2 hours to do so, eclipsing Matt Boyd for quickest win of the season for Oregon St. The Beaver defense also turned 3 double plays behind Moore, who gave up only 4 fly balls, and got a dozen ground balls that led to 1 or more outs.

"Andrew was excellent today," Oregon St. head coach Pat Casey said. "He kept the ball down, and kept the Cal batters off balance. We had a big inning offensively in the second and that was good enough for the win."

Just as had happened Friday night, Oregon St. threatened right away, but was turned away by California's starting pitcher, this time Trevor Hildenberger, as the Beavers left the bases loaded, but didn't score.

But also just like Friday night, Oregon St. would capitalize on their next opportunity, and today, they did it right away, scoring 4 times in the second inning for all the run support Moore would need.

Kavin Keyes got things started with a leadoff single, and a walk to Jake Rodriguez another single by Max Gordon followed to load the bases again. Tyler Smith, who had singled to start off the game in the previous inning, struck out, but Andy Peterson came through with his second hit of the game to drive in Keyes and Rodriguez.

Michael Conforto also struck out, but Dylan Davis doubled to drive in Gordon and Peterson, and the near capacity sunbaked crowd of 3.053 settled in in 80+ degree temperatures to watch California sweat out the rest of the afternoon.

The Beavers pounded out 10 hits in all, and added an insurance run in the 6th, after loading the bases twice more. Conforto couldn't drive in Rodriguez, who was put out on a force at the plate, but Hildenberger then walked Davis to score Smith.

Moore breezed the rest of the way, and improved to 9-1 for the season, matching Boyd for most wins, and maintaining what is the best overall record on the Oregon St. staff.

Hildenberger, who worked 6 innings, took the loss, and dropped to 5-3 for the season.

Oregon St. improved to 36-8 for the season, and 6-4 in the Pac-12, but again couldn't clear any margin on Oregon in the conference race, as the Ducks downed Washington St. 6-3 in Pullman.

California slipped to 21-25 for the year, and 9-14 in the Pac-12.

The Beavers' win secures their 6th conference series win of the season, and sets them up to go for their second consecutive series sweep, 4th of the Pac-12 race, and 7th of the season tomorrow, with Ben Wetzler on the mound.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com