Beavers Win 2-1; Mulholland Sets OSU Saves Record

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Jake Mulholland became Oregon State's all-time saves leader as the Beavers defeated California, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.
 
Mulholland retired the three batters he faced in the ninth inning for his 38th career save, surpassing Kevin Gunderson, who totaled 37 from 2004-06. Mulholland has eight in 2021, which is just shy of breaking into the top 10 in a single season at OSU.
 
Mulholland got the opportunity for the save thanks to a Ryan Ober single in the seventh inning. He singled to left off Cal starter Sean Sullivan, bringing in Preston Jones from third. Jacob Melton, who had doubled in the previous at bat, scored when Ober got into a short rundown between first and second.
 
The two-run seventh was all the Beavers (23-10 overall, 9-5 Pac-12 Conference) needed as Mulholland, starter Cooper Hjerpe and relievers Joey Mundt and Jack Washburn limited the Golden Bears (18-15, 5-6) to three hits and a run with one walk. Cal's lone run came in the sixth when Nathan Manning singled just over the leaping Ober at second base, bringing in Darren Baker from second.
 
Hjerpe tied a career-high with nine strikeouts, holding the Golden Bears to three hits and a run in six innings. He did not figure in the decision.
 
Mundt earned the win, improving to 2-0 this season. He faced three batters in a scoreless seventh, striking out one.
 
Washburn, meanwhile, also worked a 1-2-3 frame, striking out one Cal batter in the eighth.
 
Ober and Troy Claunch each tallied two hits to pace OSU's offense, which finished with eight hits off four California pitchers. Sullivan, who scattered eight hits and two runs in six innings, took the loss to drop to 2-3 this season.
 
Next Up
The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PT.
 
Follow The Game
Oregon State will provide a live stream for the finale; visit osubeavers.com for the live video direct link. Live stats, info on the Beaver Sports Network and TuneIn and more can also be found by visiting osubeavers.com.
 
Notables
- The win gave Oregon State a series win over the Golden Bears. Oregon State has won nine consecutive home series over California.
- The Beavers have won 14 of the last 17 series against Cal dating back to the 2004 season.
- Oregon State will now be looking for its fifth sweep of the Bears at home since 2005.
- Troy Claunch has back-to-back multi-hit efforts. He now has nine this season.
- Ryan Ober's two hits gives him 11 multi-hit efforts in 2021.
- Oregon State's pitching staff tallied 11 strikeouts, giving the Beavers double figures for the 24th time this season.
- Oregon State started the same lineup in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
 
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