Oregon State Opens the Series with a Close Win

The Beavers opened up a tough series against #6 UCLA Bruins tonight at Jackie Robinson stadium, and scratched out a 3-2 win.

The Bruins started James Kaprieliam as pitcher. Kaprieliam started strong striking out the Beavers first three batters. Oregon State would start Andrew Moore as pitcher and he would be rock solid for all 7 innings he would pitch.

Both teams would have trouble scoring as the game first run scored would come in the bottom of the 5th inning. The Bruins would grab the lead with an error from the Beavers 0-1.

The Beavers would go on one of their trademark late runs as they would score two in the top of the 6th. Gabe Clark would get things started for Oregon State with a single through 3rd base and shortstop to left field scoring Jeff Hendrix to tie the game 1-1.

UCLA's Cody Poteet would come in to pitch for James Kaprieliam who had loaded the bases. Kaprieliam had started out strong but faded in the later innings he finished with five hits, one run given up and nine strikeouts. Poteet would walk the Beavers Micheal Howard with the bases loaded scoring Gabe Clark to help the Beavrs take the lead 2-1. Joe Soto would strike out leaving three Beavers on base.

After pitching strong for most of the game Andrew Malcom would be replaced with Luke Heimlich. Moore would finish with four hits, 1 run, 8 strikeouts and get the win to improve his record to 3-1 on the season. The Beavers would score another run in the top of the ninth to extend their lead to two off of a Chris Donahue fly out to right field to score Caleb Hamilton 3-2.

The Bruins would have one last shot in the bottom of the 9th to win the game, but could only manage one run off of Chris Keck single to right field, Nick Kern would score cuttting the lead to one but thats as close as they would get. The Beavers Luke Heimlich would get his only strikeout to end the game as he caught him looking, Heimlich finished with 1 hit, 1 run and his second save of the season.

Oregon State got a great win over the number 6 team in the nation, they are currently ranked at 27th and hopefully they can use this series to put them in the top 25. This win improves their record to 22-7, 5-2 in Pac 12 play and finally gives them a winning record on the road 3-2. The Bruins drop to 21-6, 8-2 in Pac-12 play. The Beavers will ahve to bring their A game to sweep the three game series with the Bruins but after today their is hope. The series contiues Friday at 7pm.