CORVALLIS, Ore. — No. 20 Oregon State took a quick 1-0 lead in the first frame of its second matchup with Gonzaga at Reser Stadium Tuesday evening, but the Zags never truly lost control. With stellar showings on the mound from three throwers keeping the Beavers' bats at bay, GU's offense kicked into gear as the game stretched on, putting up all of their runs in the fifth and sixth to race ahead for a 5-2 win.
The Bulldogs (17-11) leave Corvallis with a two-game split, concluding a three-game season series that began over a month ago at the Sanderson Ford Baseball Classic with a 20-4 OSU blowout and resumed on Monday with another tough loss.
But this time around, the dynamic was something entirely different.
"Very happy with our guys' response tonight," said Head Coach
Mark Machtolf. "Last night wasn't a good reflection of who we are, and I thought we played a much better brand of Zag baseball tonight.
"Some big two-out hits, especially from
Riley Livingston, who had a big night both offensively and behind the plate."
In his second career start for GU, RHP
Nico Zeglin worked through an imposing OSU lineup with aplomb for five innings, posting seven strikeouts and holding the Beavers (21-7) to only three hits and one run — a bases-loaded walk in the first that scored Jake Dukart for the early lead.
Brett Harris keyed in the Zags' late-game push with a team-high two RBI on three hits and
Ernie Yake,
Mason Marenco and
Riley Livingston all added two hits and at least a run apiece.
After being held scoreless through four by OSU starter Jack Washburn (4 K, 3.0 IP), the Zags finally got on the board in the fifth and didn't look back. Harris drove Livingston home to tie the game with the bases loaded and
Grayson Sterling broke the tie with an inside-the-park home run that shot down the left field line — his first homer of the season.
With OSU unable to produce an answer in the ensuing frame, the Bulldogs maintained the offensive momentum in the sixth. Livingston, Yake and Harris all singled to drive in three more runs, turning the game on its head for the Beavers with only three frames left.
RHP
Trystan Vrieling did his part to keep GU ahead for three innings of relief, adding six more K's without any walks. Dukart scored OSU's second run on a groundout after doubling and reaching third on a balk, but Vrieling proceeded to strike out Joe Casey and Garret Forrester swinging to keep it a 5-2 game.
Reigning WCC Pitcher of the Week
Alek Jacob came in next, earning the save in his fifth appearance as a reliever with the Beavers' backs against the wall in the ninth. Jacob retired the three he needed in just five at-bats with a strikeout, a groundout and a flyout.
Next Up
Gonzaga resumes WCC play with a three-game home series against eighth-place Saint Mary's that begins on Friday at 6 p.m. The Gaels (13-13, 3-6 WCC) are coming off a close 2-1 series loss to third place Portland that included a 13-inning game one.
Follow the Game
Saturday's game is also set for a 6 p.m. start with Sunday's matchup set for noon. Live streaming will be available via the WCC Network, and Sunday's game will be televised on SWX. Check GoZags.com for up-to-date game information and live stats.
