Fast Start Not Enough As Huskies Fall To OSU In Game Three
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Coach Lindsay Meggs looked to shake things up in game three of the series versus number two ranked Oregon State on Sunday and handed the ball to reliable reliever Stefan Raeth for his first start of the season. The Huskies struck first plating a leadoff walk in the first inning. Strong pitching kept them in the game through six, but one run wouldn't be enough and OSU pulled away in their final two at bats of the game to capture a 7-1 victory.
TOP OF 1
McKay Barney got things started in the first earning a leadoff walk and later swiping second base. A wild pitch handed him third base. Colby Wallace stepped in the box following a pair of outs and ripped a line drive into center field to plate Barney for the first run of the game.
BOTTOM OF 4
Visions of Friday night's game returned as Barney lost track of another pop up to center field and it landed in for a leadoff double. A walk and an infield fly followed to put two on with one out. The next batter singled up the middle scoring the runner from second and tying things up for the Beavers. A double steal was attempted, but catcher Johnny Tincher fired down to third, catching the runner for out number two. Following a full count walk, the next batter fouled out to Coby Morales at third base to end the inning.
BOTTOM OF 7
RHP Josh Emanuels started the fifth and put OSU down in order for two innings. The seventh began with a ground out to second. Then a walk to the next batter prompted a call to the bullpen for LHP Stu Flesland III. A pair of singles loaded the bases for the next batter who capitalized with a double to left field scoring two to give OSU a 3-1 lead. With runners on second and third, Flesland delivered a pop out to second. With two outs and an open base at first, the next batter was intentionally walked to set up a force out and RHP Ryan Velazquez was brought in to deliver the final out. The batter worked a 2-2 count and then went down looking at strike three.
BOTTOM OF 8
OSU began with a single up the middle. A sacrifice bunt and a strikeout followed. An intentional walk set up the force at any bag. The next batter earned a walk though and Velazquez was unable to find the zone once more and walked in a run. LHP Bryce Armstrong came in with two outs and the bases loaded. With a full count, the batter fouled off a couple before one got away from Armstrong and he hit the batter in the back. Another run scored as he was awarded first base. Armstrong was able to get poor contact from the next batter, but it resulted in a Texas leaguer landing in shallow center scoring two. The next batter singled to right field to load the bases again, but Armstrong was able to sit the next batter down on a swinging third strike.
Starter Stefan Raeth went 4 innings giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. Josh Emanuels was sharp in 2.1 innings of relief, however he took the loss giving up 1 earned run with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.