Box Score

CORVALLIS, Ore. --- The No. 2 Oregon State Beavers broke open a close game with a four-run fifth inning before adding six more in the eighth en route to a 13-3 win over the Portland Pilots in a non-conference contest played at Goss Stadium on Tuesday night. The Pilots now set their sights back on the WCC as they host Gonzaga this weekend.

 

After the Beavers (35-11) had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Pilots (17-25) responded with the tying run in the top of the second. Senior Matt Mardesich led off with a double, advanced to third on an error and scored on an RBI ground out by Chet Thompson.

 

The tie was short-lived as OSU answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 3-1 advantage. The Beavers then took control of the game with the four-spot in the fifth. Andrew Susac had a two-run single during the rally, and Ryan Dunn belted a solo home run.

Michael Miller then led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo homer that sparked the six-run outburst, putting the game out of reach.

 

The Pilots got two runs back in the top of the ninth inning, courtesy a two-run home run by Mardesich, his team-high sixth of the year.

 

OSU’s 14 hits came against four Portland pitchers, with starter Matt McCallister (0-4) taking the loss. The sophomore right-hander lasted 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked one.

 

James Nygren takes the win for the Beavers to improve to 8-2 on the year. He yielded one run on three hits in 5.2 innings, while striking out four and walking a pair. He was followed by two relievers, with Adam Duke surrendering Mardesich’s homer.

 

Mardesich had two of UP’s four hits.

 

Next up for the Pilots is a visit by first-place Gonzaga for a three-game conference series at Joe Etzel Field. Friday’s game is set for 3 p.m., while first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.