Beavs open series with walkoff win
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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Jack Anderson walked on 3-2 with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Friday afternoon at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field, sending top-ranked Oregon State to a 4-3 comeback win over Washington State.
Anderson’s walk was the second-in-a-row for the Beavers against Washington State closer Scotty Sunitsch, sending Oregon State to yet another walkoff this season. Steven Kwan, previously to the plate, battled against the left-hander, walking on an inside pitch, also on 3-2. That walk tied the game against the Cougars, who held a 3-1 lead after a two-run sixth inning off starter Luke Heimlich.
The Beavers (43-4 overall, 25-3 Pac-12 Conference) began their comeback in the eighth. Adley Rutschman hit a deep sac fly to center off Ryan Walker, pulling OSU to within one.
Then, in the ninth, Trevor Larnach singled to open the inning. Elliott Cary, pinch running for Larnach, moved to second on a sac bunt. Andy Atwood earned the first walk of the ninth, then Nick Madrigal, with two outs, walked to load the bases.
The 25th win in conference play pushed OSU to the most wins in league play since the 1999 unification, surpassing the team’s 2014 record of 24-6. With another win, the Beavers can equal Arizona State’s conference record of 26 league wins in 1981.
Heimlich earned the win after the ninth-inning rally, picking up his ninth of the year after holding WSU to eight hits and three runs – two earned – in a complete-game effort. He struck out eight.
Sunitsch took the loss, dropping to 2-4 on the year.
Larnach and Kwan each tallied two hits to pace the Beavers, while Madrigal walked three times.
Another 3K-Plus
Oregon State saw 3,583 fans at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field Friday. Oregon State has now had 11 crowds of 3,000 or more this season. The Beavers have totaled 61,751 fans through 20 home dates this season – 21 games, with one counting as as a single-ticket doubleheader. That is an average of 3,088 per home date.
Going For A Series Win Saturday
The win in the opening-game of the series puts the Beavers in position to win their 12th consecutive Pac-12 series dating back to 2016. OSU has taken eight of its nine conference series openers this season.
At Home
Oregon State improved to 20-1 at home this season, and 12-1 in Pac-12 play. The Beavers have won 20 or more at Goss Stadium eight times since 2005.
Still Perfect In May
The win also pushes the Beavers to 9-0 in the month of May, including a 5-0 mark at Goss Stadium.
Next Up
Oregon State and Washington State continue their three-game series Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. PT first pitch at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.
On TV
Saturday’s will air live on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Oregon, Pac-12 Washington, Pac-12.com and via the Pac-12 Now app.