CORVALLIS, Ore. – Travis Bazzana’s seventh-inning three run home run spurred sixth-ranked Oregon State’s 6-5 comeback win over North Dakota State Friday at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.
Bazzana and North Dakota State reliever Skyler Reidinger battled to a 2-2 count and after a ball in the dirt that hit home plate Matt McMahon, a 23-minute delay ensued. Bazzana, after that delay, hit the first pitch he saw into the stands in right field, making it a 5-4 ballgame.
A few batters later, and with the bases loaded, Gavin Turley drew a 3-2 walk from reliever Joey Danielson to tie the game at five.
OSU (9-1 overall) took its only lead of the game a batter later when Jacob Krieg reached on an error with the bases loaded.
North Dakota State had 10 hits to the Beavers’ four, and held a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth. The Bison (2-7) scored two in the first and three in the fifth. Oregon State scored its first run of the game when Canon Reeder drew a bases-loaded walk.
Bridger Holmes threw the final 2 1/3 innings for his second win of the season. The righty held NDSU scoreless while striking out four. He was the final of three pitchers on the day, following Jaren Hunter and Nelson Keljo.
Nolan Johnson stymied the Beavers for five innings, scattering two hits and a run with five strikeouts. Like Hunter, he did not figure in the decision. Danielson, also the last of three Bison pitchers, dropped to 0-2 after allowing one hit and an unearned run in 1 2/3 innings.
Next Game
Oregon State and North Dakota State continue the series Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. PT first pitch at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. Visit BeaverTickets.com for tickets or follow the game live on the Beaver Sports Network, the Varsity Network app and via live stream at osubeavers.com.
Oregon State Notes
– Opponents have now scored first in five consecutive games.
– The Beavers faced a left-handed starter for the sixth time in 10 games this season.
– Micah McDowell extended his hit streak to 10 games with a single on the third pitch he saw in the first inning.
– Jacob Krieg was hit by a pitch for the fourth time in the series.
– Travis Bazzana’s home run marked the 23rd of his career.
– Oregon State improved to 9-1 for the third consecutive season.
– Oregon State improved to 29-23 in one-run games under Mitch Canham.
– The Beavers also improved to 15-50 when trailing after the sixth inning under Canham.
– OSU has out-scored opponents 15-0 in the seventh inning this season.
– Bazzana now has five multiple-RBI games this season, equaling Mason Guerra for the team lead.
– Tanner Smith threw out three baserunners attempting to steal. Opponents are now just 2-for-9 in stolen-base attempts this season. Smith himself has thrown out five of the six attempts against him.
– The game was delayed for 17 minutes in the third inning due to an electrical surge that saw the lights at Goss Stadium turn off.
– The game was delayed again in the seventh inning when home plate umpire Matt McMahon left the game after getting hit by a ball in the dirt. Third base umpire Jake Uhlenhopp replaced McMahon behind the plate. The delay lasted 23 minutes.
