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Oregon State once again found themselves down early against Cal, but managed to pull off a comeback to finish their sweep of the Golden Bears with a 5-3 win. Some clutch defensive play, including four double plays, sealed the OSU victory. Oregon State improves to 24-10, and 10-5 in conference play.
Cal jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, when a double from Dylan Beavers, a triple from Quentin Selma and a single from John Lagattuta gave them a 2-0 lead. When the Beavers got their turn at the plate a Ryan Ober walk gave them their first baserunner, and a single from Jake Dukart put him in scoring position. A Garret Forrester ground ball scored Ober, but that would be the only run the Beavers would in the first.
Cal got a run back in the top of the third, with a Dylan Beavers solo homer. Oregon State struck back in the fourth. With two outs down, Jacob Melton walked and then stole second, setting up a big at bat for Ryan Ober. Ober hit a single into right field to bring Melton home and get the Beavers within one.
OBER!
— Oregon State Baseball (@BeaverBaseball) April 18, 2021
His sixth RBI of the series trims Cal's lead to one.#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/rvZmmpm1in
Oregon State got that one in the bottom of the fifth, and once again they did did it down two outs. After a Garret Forrester strike out and a Troy Claunch fly ball, Andy Armstrong singled to get the Beavers a runner. A Joe Casey single got Armstrong to third base, and then a Wade Meckler single got Andy to home plate, tying the game 3-3.
In the bottom of the sixth, Jacob Melton doubled to reach base, before the Bears got two quick outs. It looked like the Bears would escape the inning, but a clutch Garret Forrester single got Melton home, giving OSU their first lead of the game.
OUR lead.#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/7k8Z8R1WSb
— Oregon State Baseball (@BeaverBaseball) April 18, 2021
The Beavers got an insurance run in the bottom of the eigth. After Jacob Melton walked, he attempted to steal, and a throwing error from Cal’s catcher Cole Elvis allowed him to reach third. A fly out from Ryan Ober brought Melton home, bringing the OSU lead to 5-3. Cal threatened in the top of the ninth, but a clutch 1-5-3 double play ended the game in a Beaver victory.
It was a good day for Ryan Ober, who accounted for two of the Beavers RBIs. He had 1 hit and 1 walk in his three at bats. Garret Forrester also finished with 2 RBIs, with 1 hit. Chase Watkins picked up the win after coming in in relief in the sixth. He pitched for 2.1 innings, during which he struck out three, allowing 1 hit, no walks and no runs. Jake Mulholland picked up yet another save, his ninth of the season, pitching in the ninth.
The Beavers have a midweek game in Corvallis against the Portland Pilots on Tuesday, before they’ll hit the road for a series against UC Irvine that starts on Friday, April 23rd. Tuesday’s first pitch is set for 5:35 PM PT, and will be streamed on pac-12.com.