Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The third-ranked Oregon State Beavers used a four-run fourth inning to overcome the Portland Pilots 6-1 in a non-conference baseball game played on Tuesday afternoon at Joe Etzel Field. Kramer Scott had two hits for the Pilots, while Colin Feldtman knocked in UP’s only run with a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning.

 

The Beavers, who added some insurance with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning, win their 12th game out of their last 13 to improve to 30-8. Portland’s record drops to 14-23.

 

The first three innings were scoreless as Oregon State’s James Nygren (7-1) and Portland’s Owen Jones (3-5) matched each other pitch-for-pitch. The Beavers finally got to Jones in the fourth when they pieced together five straight hits to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Ryan Dunn capped the outburst with an RBI single to give OSU a four-run cushion.

 

Jones would not give up another run before giving way to reliever Matt McCallister to begin the seventh inning. Jones’ final line included four runs on six hits in 6.0 innings. He fanned seven and walked two.

 

Nygren held the Pilots scoreless on three hits in 5.1 innings of work. He recorded eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter. Scott doubled for the first Pilot hit to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but he was left stranded as Nygren retired the next three batters in order.

 

McCallister was solid on the hill for Portland, despite allowing two runs in the top of the eighth inning. That’s when Jared Norris drove in a run with a double before Kavin Keyes gave the Beavers a 6-0 lead with a sacrifice fly. McCallister retired the Beavers in order during the seventh and ninth innings.

 

Ben Wetzler tossed the final 3.2 innings for Oregon State to pick up his first career save. He K’d five, surrendered two hits and allowed Portland’s only run in the bottom of the ninth. Scott reached base with a one-out single before coming around to score on Feldtman’s base hit to left field. Wetzel then got Riley Henricks to fly out to right field to end the game.

 

Oregon State held a slight 8-5 advantage in hits, while the Beavers committed the game’s only error.

 

The Pilots next head south for a game on Wednesday night against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at PK Park.