Oregon State at UCLA
Oregon State took two out of three this weekend at UCLA in a series between two teams aiming for a conference championship. In game one, the Bruins handed LHP Matt Boyd (6-1) his first loss of the season. Boyd was outdueled by RHP Adam Plutko (3-2), who pitched seven innings and only allowed one unearned run. Both teams struggled offensively as Oregon State had four hits and UCLA had five. With the score tied 1-1 in the fifth inning, designated hitter Kevin Williams hit his first home run of the season to give UCLA a 2-1 lead. They would add another run in the seventh, and closer David Berg picked up his sixth save of the season by pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in relief. The final was 3-2 UCLA.
In game two, RHP Andrew Moore picked up his sixth win of the season after pitching 6 2/3 innings without allowing a run. The freshman had five strikeouts and only allowed four hits. Five Beavers had two hits in the game, with center fielder Joey Jensen and shortstop Andy Peterson each driving in two RBI, as Oregon State evened the series with a 5-0 victory.
In the series finale on Sunday, Oregon State was able to take the series by a final of 5-2. Junior starter Ben Wetzler picked up his first win of the season, in his best performance so far. He had missed the first month of the season with a bad back. The lefty went seven innings and only allowed one run. He had five strikeouts and only allowed five hits. The Beavers had 11 hits in the game, two apiece from designated hitter Ryan Barnes, left fielder Michael Conforto, and right fielder Dylan Davis. Second baseman Jake Rodriquez led the way for the Beavers with two RBI.
Oregon State wins the series 2-1
Oregon State- 25-5, 7-2
UCLA: 19-9, 7-5
Stanford at USC
Stanford defeated USC twice this weekend to claim the series. In game one on Friday, RHP Mark Appel struck out seven and allowed two runs in 8 and 2/3 innings as the Cardinal won by a final of 4-2. Closer AJ Venegas came in to get the last batter as he picked up his third save of the year. Catcher Brant Whiting hit his first home run of the season in the sixth inning. The three-run shot was the decisive blow in the game. Right fielder Austin Slater led the way for the Cardinal with two hits.
In game two on Saturday, Stanford claimed the series by a final of 10-3. Freshman James Logan picked up his first victory of the season after replacing starter Marcus Brakeman in the second inning. Logan pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of one run ball. He struck out four and only allowed four hits. The Cardinal had a season high 17 hits in the win. Six Cardinal’s had multi-hit games, while third baseman Alex Blandino and second baseman Danny Diekroeger each had three hits on the day.
On Sunday, USC was able to notch a conference victory by a final of 7-6. After the Cardinal scored three times in the top of the eighth inning, third baseman James Roberts hit his third home run of the season. The home run would hold up as the decisive blow, as the Cardinal was not able to plate a run in the ninth. Kyle Davis picked up his third win of the season after replacing starter Kyle Twomey in the seventh. Davis allowed three runs in three innings. The loss was handed to closer AJ Venegas.
Stanford wins the series 2-1
USC: 12-19, 5-7
Stanford: 16-10, 6-4
Oregon at Arizona State
The biggest winner of the weekend was Arizona State. The Sun Devils took two out of three from Oregon over the weekend. In game one on Friday, pitch hitter R.J. Ybarra delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to clinch the victory by a final of 6-5. Both starters struggled as Oregon’s Reed allowed five runs in 5 and 2/3 innings. Arizona State’s Williams allowed four runs in 7 and 1/3 innings. Both bullpens were solid until the 11 inning when Ybarra singled home the game winner. Four Sun Devils had multi-hit games, while third baseman Michael Benjamin and left fielder Jake Peevyhouse each drove in two RBI.
Game two saw Arizona State clinch the series behind a 14-9 victory. Oregon starter Tommy Thorpe allowed five earned runs in 4 and 2/3 innings. The Ducks were forced to use five pitchers out of the pen in relief of Thorpe. Each reliever allowed an earned run as the Sun Devils took a 10-4 lead heading into the top of the eighth. In the eighth, Oregon scored five runs to pull within one. Arizona State responded in the bottom half of the eighth with four runs to seal the victory. Freshman standout Ryan Kellogg picked up his seventh victory of the season after throwing 7 and 1/3 innings. The lefty allowed six earned runs on 11 hits. Third baseman Michael Benjamin and catcher Max Rossiter led the way for the Sun Devils with three hits apiece.
On Sunday, Oregon got a hit from every starter as the Ducks rebounded for a 16-3 victory. Freshman Cole Irvin improved to 6-1, after pitching seven innings. The lefty allowed three runs on six hits. Second baseman Aaron Payne and right fielder Scott Heineman each had four hits apiece. Four Ducks contributed with three RBI apiece.
Arizona State wins the series 2-1.
Oregon: 23-8, 9-3
Arizona State: 19-9-1, 6-6
Washington State at Utah
Utah defeated Washington State twice this weekend to claim the series. In game one on Friday, Utah scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to come away with the victory. Utah starter Mitch Watrous picked up his second win of the season after pitching eight innings. Watrous allowed four runs on 12 hits. Third baseman TJ Bennett and left fielder Wyler Smith each had two hits for Utah.
On Saturday, Utah once again came away with the victory by a final of 2-1. First baseman Trey Nielsen homered twice and TJ Bennett had two hits on the day to lead the Utes. Starter Dalton Carroll improved to 3-2 on the season after pitching 6 and 1/3 innings of one run ball. Carroll allowed six hits and struck out four.
Washington State took the finale on Sunday by a final of 5-0. RHP Scott Simon (3-0) struck out a career high seven batters in the complete-game effort. Simon only allowed five hits, while walking one. It was the first complete-game shutout for Washington State since 1999, when Cougar Wade Parrish accomplished the feat. Center fielder Austin Pernell led the way for the Cougars with three hits. Four different Cougars notched an RBI apiece.
Utah wins the series 2-1
Utah: 14-14, 4-8
Washington State: 17-13, 4-5
California at Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats are back after completing the sweep of California over the weekend. In game one on Friday, Arizona rode the arm of starter Konner Wade, as the Wildcats won by a final of 10-1. Wade pitched 8 and 2/3 innings of one run ball. He walked four and struck out three in picking up his third win of the season. Center fielder Johnny Field and second baseman Trent Gilbert each had three hits apiece for the Wildcats.
Arizona took game two Saturday by a final of 6-4. Both starters struggled as California’s Justin Jones only lasted one inning. Arizona’s James Farris was pulled after 4 and 2/3 innings. The battle of the bullpen’s was won by Arizona as closer Mathew Troupe picked up his seventh save of the season after stranding the tying run. Troupe struck out Devon Rodriquez with runners on the corner to seal the win. Arizona was led by center fielder Johnny Field, who recorded three hits on the day.
With the sweep on Sunday, Arizona won their sixth consecutive game and returned to .500 in conference play. The Wildcats defeated California 5-4 thanks to an offense that pounded out 15 hits. Arizona was led by third baseman Brandon Dixon and first baseman Ryan Koziol, who each had three hits. Closer Mathew Troupe made things interesting in the ninth, but the sophomore was able to secure his eighth save of the year after getting pitch hitter Andrew Knapp to ground out to first base.
Arizona sweeps California
Arizona: 21-11, 6-6
California: 16-16, 5-8
Washington at Pepperdine
The Washington Huskies lost two out of three against Pepperdine this weekend. In game one on Friday, the Huskies won by a final of 6-2. Second baseman Andrew Ely had two hits and four Huskies contributed an RBI in the victory.
On Saturday, Washington dropped game two by a final of 1-0 in 11 innings. Washington starter Austin Voth had a strong outing after going eight innings and striking out ten. He only allowed one hit. Pepperdine’s Jacob Coats singled up the middle to drive in the RBI for Pepperdine in the 11th.
Sunday saw Washington drop the series 4-1. Catcher Ryan Wiggins led the Huskies with two hits. Husky starter Trevor Dunlap (1-2) took the loss after going three innings. Pepperdine was led by third baseman Austin Davidson, who went 1-4 on the day. He had two RBI on his fourth home run of the season.
Pepperdine wins the series 2-1
Washington: 8-21, 2-7
Pac-12 Power Rankings
- Oregon State
- Oregon
- UCLA
- Stanford
- Arizona State
- Arizona
- Washington State
- California
- USC
- Utah
- Washington
Takeaways from the Weekend
- Oregon State regains first place atop the Pac-12. Winning two out of three at UCLA is big for Oregon State. It gives the Beavers a three game lead on UCLA. With matchups with Utah, Washington, and USC coming up, look for the Beavers to begin to separate themselves even farther from the rest of the conference.
- Ben Wetzler winning the rubber match of the series for Oregon State. The Beaver staff is deep with Matt Boyd and Andrew Moore. Dan Child was moved back to the bullpen to make room for Wetzler once he returned from his back injury. Wetzler’s outing Sunday was by far his best since returning. If he continues to pitch like this, Oregon State will be extremely difficult to beat in a series.
- Arizona sweeping California. Everyone knew Arizona would get back on track. The fear was that the Wildcats could not afford to drop single games after being swept by Oregon State and Oregon. Instead, the Wildcats have responded remarkably and now sit in the middle of the standings. Arizona is one game out of third place in an extremely close conference.
- The parity of the Pac-12. Although Oregon State and Oregon appear to be the front runners for the conference title, there are five other teams all trailing Oregon State by three games. UCLA, Arizona State, Stanford, Washington State, and Arizona all sit 2 or 3 games away from the conference lead.
