CORVALLIS, Ore. – Mason Guerra doubled twice and went 3-for-5 to lead No. 6 Oregon State past CSUN, 9-2, Thursday night in the series opener at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.
Guerra drilled a double off the wall in the fifth to tie the game at one, singled home a run in the sixth and doubled again in the eighth to pace the OSU offensive attack, which totaled 13 hits, of which came during the Beavers’ (12-1 overall) last four turns at bat.
Oregon State pushed five runs across the plate in the sixth inning to go ahead for good. Tanner Smith reached on a fielder’s choice and an errant throw by the Matadors allowed Jacob Krieg to score the go-ahead run.
Easton Talt made it 3-1 on a single on a squeeze, then scored two batters later when Levi Jones picked up his first hit as a Beaver, a two-run single. Guerra capped the inning’s scoring with his second hit of the day, a single to right.
Three more runs for the Beavers basically put the game out of reach. Jacob Krieg hit his second home run of the season, a towering drive to right center that brought in Gavin Turley, who had opened the inning with his second single of the night. Then Smith, two batters later, tripled down the line in right for his first career three-base hit.
Neither starter figured in the game’s decision. Nelson Keljo got the nod for the Beavers, and scattered three hits, three walks and a run with four strikeouts in three full innings. His counterpart, Thomas Bainton, was pulled after five full. He allowed three hits and a run with four walks and six strikeouts.
The win went to Matthew Morrell, the second of five relievers for the Beavers. The righty allowed one hit and a run in an inning, and improved to 1-0 on the year.
Oregon State’s five relievers, which also included Kellan Oakes, Tyler Mejia, Bridger Holmes and Noah Ferguson, held CSUN (9-3) to two hits and a run in six innings. The group walked just one while striking out seven.
Blake Ignaciak took the loss for CSUN, dropping to 0-1. He allowed one hit and three runs and did not record an out in the sixth inning.
Next Game
Oregon State and CSUN continue the four-game series Friday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. PT. 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
– Mason Guerra started at third base for the first time this season. He has started in every game, seeing action at first base 11 times, designated hitter once and third base once.
– Nelson Keljo made his second career start, his first coming April 18 last season against Seattle.
– CSUN scored first, becoming the sixth OSU opponent to do so over the first 13 games of the season.
– The meeting marked the first between the teams since 2005. It was also the first in Corvallis since 2002.
– Micah McDowell singled in the first inning to push his hit streak to 11 games.
– Brady Kasper pinch hit in the fifth inning. It was his first appearance since starting in right field Feb. 23 against Arkansas in Arlington, Texas.
– The Beavers completed an 8-4-2 relay to prevent CSUN’s first run of the game in the first inning.
– Travis Bazzana assisted on all three groundouts in CSUN’s half of the sixth inning.
– Bazzana and Mason Guerra have reached base safely in all 13 games this season.
– Jacob Krieg’s home run in the seventh inning marked his second of the year and first since opening day versus New Mexico. It also marked the 24th home run of the year for the Beavers.
– The 2023 Beavers hit their 24th home run in the 20th game of the season.
– Oregon State has now finished with three of more extra-base hits in 10 of 13 games this year.
– Guerra became the second Beaver with two doubles in a game this year, joining Gavin Turley on March 2 against North Dakota State.
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OUR MISSION
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