Huskies Shut Out by Oregon State in First Game of Series

SEATTLE, WA -- The Washington baseball team (8-11, 0-4) put together a respectable effort on the mound, but could not plate a run and fell to the Oregon State Beavers (15-5, 3-1) by a score of 3-0. 

After UW starter Logan Gerlingset down Oregon State 1-2-3 in the first inning, the Beavers were able to go ahead in the second. With men on first and third, a balk gave them the first run of the game.  Gerling settled in after that, getting out of the second and throwing scoreless third and fourth innings. 

In the bottom of the third inning, Braiden Ward was hit with a pitch with two outs. He then stole second base, the 68th of his career, taking sole possession of third place all-time in Washington history, breaking a tie with Kevin Stocker. He stole another base in the sixth to give him 69 career steals. Up next is Joe Trippy, who sits in second place with 85.

In the top of the fifth, Oregon State strung together a two-out double and RBI single to double its lead to 2-0. In the next inning, the Beavers loaded the bases with no outs and the UW bullpen was able to limit the damage to just one run on a sac fly. 

Logan Gerling put forth a strong effort on the mound, going 4.2 innings and giving up 2 runs on six hits, striking out four batters.

Gabe Smith came in and gave the Huskies 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He was followed by Stefan Raeth, who threw a scoreless ninth inning. 

The Huskies hit the ball hard in the bottom of the ninth. The OSU left fielder made a diving catch to rob Will Simpson of a leadoff base-hit. Nick Kresnak grounded out sharply to shortstop while Dalton Chandler made the last out of the game on a line drive hit right to the third baseman.

Game two of the three-game series is set for Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Husky Ballpark. Jack Enger will get the start for UW, going against Will Frisch.
Husky Notes

• With his third inning HBP, Braiden Ward extended his on-base streak to all 19 games this season.
• Ward's 68th career steal in the third inning gave him sole possession of third place all-time at Washington.
• Gabe Smith has now thrown 12 consecutive scoreless innings.