It looked like the Beavers would open their series against UCLA with a win, but a 4 run bottom of the ninth from the Bruins sent the game into extras and ultimately gave UCLA the win. It was another long, frustrating game that ended in an Oregon State loss, dropping the Beavers to 28-13 overall, and 10-6 in the Pac-12 conference.
After a slow first, the Beavers found some action in the top of the second. After two quick outs, Troy Claunch walked, and then was advanced by a Justin Boyd single. Matthew Gretler then hit a single past third to get Claunch home and give the Beavs a 1-0 lead.
UCLA answered back in the bottom of the fourth with a one run single from Josh Hahn, tying the game 1-1. That’d be the score until the eighth inning, when the Beavers hit a groove. Wade Meckler walked to open the inning, and then a Ryan Ober single set him up for a score. An Andy Armstrong double got Meckler home and put two runners in scoring position. That set up a Garret Forrester triple to add two more runs for Oregon State, giving them a 4-1 lead.
They added one more in the top of the ninth with a big Ryan Ober double scoring Preston Jones. It looked like an insurance run, but it would turn out the Beavers would need a much better policy. After a fly out to open the ninth, three straight singles loaded the bases with one out. Closer Jake Mulholland then walked in a run, bringing tje ga,e tp 5-2. He was replaced by Jack Washburn, who struck out the next batter. The Beavers needed just one more out, but the bases were still loaded. A double from Jack Filby scored three runs, and we were headed to the 10th.
A Troy Claunch single and a Jake Dukart walk with one out set up a promising situation for the Beavers, but they couldn’t capitalize, giving UCLA a shot at the win. They would need much. A single from Kyle Karros, a walk to Kevin Kendall, and an intentional walk to Matt McLain got the bases loaded with one out. What happened next.
A balk.
A bases loaded balk.
A bases loaded balk in extra innings to end the game.
6-5, Beavers lose.
Jack Washburn picked up the loss, his first of the season, giving him a 3-1 record. Kevin Abel looked solid in the start, striking out 8 over 4.1 innings, allowing 2 hits but an alarming six walks, though no earned runs. Closer Jake Mulholland, normally solid, had a rough game, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks in his 1.1 innings, against 1 strikeout, with 4 earned runs.
The Beavers will look to bounce back in Game 2 tomorrow, with first pitch set for 6:00 PM PT. The game will be aired on the Pac-12 Networks.