Oregon State at Washington
The Beavers missed a golden opportunity this weekend to put some separation between them and the rest of the conference. The Washington Huskies were able to take two of out three from the Beavers this weekend after Friday’s game was postponed due to rain. In game one on Saturday, Jared Fisher picked up his first win of the season after pitching seven innings of no-run ball. Fisher only allowed five hits, while striking out two and walking one as Washington defeated Oregon State 5-1. It was a major win for Washington as the Husky bats got to Beaver starter Matt Boyd. Boyd allowed four runs, three earned, in six innings. Five different Huskies drove in an RBI, while designated hitter Michael Camporeale led the way for the Huskies with three hits. The Beavers Ryan Barnes did not get a hit, ending his 11-game hit streak.
In game two of the Saturday double header, Washington once again pulled the upset by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Oregon State by a final of 10-3. The score was 3-2 Beavers heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Five Oregon State relievers later, Washington had hung an eight spot on the scoreboard. Michael Camporeale singled through the right side to tie the game. The Huskies took the lead when Trevor Mitsui doubled to the right fielder gap to drive in to RBI. Five Husky starters had a multi-hit game, and Trevor Mitsui drove in three RBI.
Oregon State rebounded on Sunday to notch a conference victory by a final of 8-0. The Beavers jumped on Husky starter Tyler Davis early. Oregon State put up five runs in the first inning, as Max Gordon and Tyler Smith both doubled to start the game. Dylan Davis followed one out later; with another RBI double to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead. Ryan Barnes then drove in Davis with an RBI single. Andy Peterson then finished off the inning with a single to drive in two RBI. The 5-0 Beaver lead was all starter Ben Wetzler needed, as the lefty recorded his first career complete-game. Wetzler improved to 3-1 after striking out six and walking one in nine innings. He only allowed four hits.
Washington wins the series 2-1
Oregon State: 30-8, 11-4
Washington: 11-26, 5-10
UCLA at Oregon
In the battle for second place in the Pac-12, UCLA came out on top after taking two of three from Oregon over the weekend. In game one on Friday, Bruin starter Adam Pltuko outdueled Ducks starter Tommy Thorpe as UCLA recorded the victory by a final of 1-0. Plutko pitched seven innings of no-run ball, while only allowing three hits. He struck out eight while walking three. The lone Bruin run came in the fourth after Brian Carroll singled to lead off the inning. He stole second, and then moved to third on a Kevin Kramer infield single. Pat Valaika followed by hitting into a double play, which scored Carroll from third. The 1-0 lead held, as closer David Berg pitched two scoreless innings in relief to record his ninth save of the year.
In game two on Saturday, UCLA claimed the series with another 1-0 victory. The Bruins scored an unearned run in the first inning after Eric Filia doubled with one out. Filia would later score when a ground ball went off third baseman Mitchell Tolman’s glove. Bruin starter Nick Vander Tuig pitched seven innings in recording his sixth win of the year. Tuig allowed two hits and struck out six. Zack Weiss pitched 2/3 of an inning before turning it over to closer David Berg. Berg allowed a lead-off single to Ryon Healy in the ninth, but did not allow any damage as he notched his tenth save of the year. Oregon starter Cole Irvin pitched a complete-game in the loss. The freshman lefty allowed one unearned run on six hits. He struck out three and walked one. Oregon only managed three hits.
In the series finale on Sunday, Oregon salvaged what could have been a disastrous three-game sweep by defeating UCLA 5-3. In the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Bruins leading 3-2, Scott Heineman delivered a bases loaded three-run triple, to the right-center gap, to give Oregon a 5-3 lead. Heineman had been 0-9 in the series before the triple. The three runs in the fifth made a winner out of Ducks starter Jake Reed. Reed pitched six innings while allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked one. Oregon’s bullpen held the Bruins hitless over the last three innings. Closer Jimmie Sherfy pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 13 save of the year.
UCLA wins the series 2-1
Oregon: 29-10, 13-5
UCLA: 25-11, 9-6
Arizona at Stanford
Another marquee matchup in the conference took place in Stanford as the Cardinal took two out of three from Arizona. In game one on Friday, Stanford got an RBI double by Alex Blandino in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead 4-3. The score would hold, as Sam Lindquist recorded his fourth save of the year, after pitching around a bases loaded jam in the ninth. Stanford starter Mark Appel notched the win after pitching 6 and 2/3 innings. Appel allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and two walks. He struck out six. Austin Wilson led the way for the Cardinal with two RBI. He had a two out, two RBI single in the fifth, to tie the game at 3-3.
In game two on Saturday, Arizona responded with a 10-9 victory. Both starters struggled as Arizona’s Farris allowed seven earned runs over 6 and 1/3 innings. Stanford starter Dean McArdle allowed five earned runs in three and 1/3 innings. Arizona scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, after Brandon Dixon hit his fifth home run of the year. Closer Mathew Troupe picked up the victory after holding Stanford scoreless in the ninth. For Stanford, Brian Ragira was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. The first baseman was 4-5 on the day and drove in two RBI. Arizona received two hits apiece from Trent Gilbert, Brandon Dixon, and Kevin Newman. Newman and Dixon each had two RBI. Johnny Field also drove in two for the Wildcats.
In the deciding game on Sunday, Stanford defeated Arizona by a final of 12-8. Once again, both starters struggled as Arizona’s Tyler Crawford allowed seven runs in three innings. Stanford’s John Hochstatter was stung by poor defense, as he allowed five runs, zero of them earned. The lefty only pitched 1 and 1/3 innings. Seven of Arizona’s eight runs were unearned. The Cardinal committed three errors. Austin Slater led the way for the Cardinal as the right fielder drove in five RBI. He was 3-5 and also scored three runs.
Stanford wins the series 2-1
Stanford: 22-12, 9-6
Arizona: 25-14, 9-9
Washington State at California
In a battle of two teams trying to separate themselves from the middle of the conference, California had the better weekend in taking the series against Washington State. In game one on Friday, California defeated Washington State by a final of 4-2. California starter Ryan Mason improved to 5-2 on the year after pitching six innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hit and struck out four. Designated hitter Devon Rodriquez led the way for the Bears with a 2-4 day. Rodriquez drove in two RBI after hitting his fifth home run of the year. Cougar starter Joe Pistorese pitched a complete-game. He allowed four runs, two earned, while striking out 11. Two of the four Bear runs were unearned as the Cougars committed two errors.
On Saturday, Washington State squared the series at 1-1 with a 7-6 victory. Jason Monda delivered an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Cougars the lead. Adam Nelubowich was 3-3 with four RBI for the Cougars. He had a home run and a double to lead the Cougars. Outfielder/pitcher Jason Monda also recorded the victory after pitching two innings and not allowing a run.
On Sunday, California took the series after coming from behind in dramatic fashion to win the game 2-1. Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, with Washington State leading 1-0, Nick Halamandaris led off the inning with a walk. The pitch runner advanced to second base, after a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Mitchell Kranson delivered an RBI single through the right side to tie the game at 1-1. Mike Reuvekamp then followed with an RBI single to win the game for California.
California wins the series 2-1.
California: 18-21: 7-11
Washington State: 19-18, 6-9
USC at Utah
USC was able to rebound from a blowout Friday night to win two out of three on the road at Utah. In game one, Utah jumped all over USC, as the Utes won by a final of 10-0. Kody Davis was 4-5 to lead Utah. He drove in one RBI. Utah starter Mitch Watrous improved to 3-2, after pitching eight innings of scoreless ball. He struck out five and walked three.
On Saturday, USC even the series with a 7-4 victory. Trojan starter Wyatt Strahan improved to 2-2 after pitching eight innings and allowing one run. He walked four and had six strikeouts. Dante Flores and Blake Lacey each drove in two RBI for the Trojans.
Sunday’s final, 15-10 in 10 innings, gave USC the series victory. The Trojans tallied a record 15 runs on 22 hits. Freshman Timmy Robinson led the way for the Trojans, after going 3-6 and driving in a career high five RBI. Robinson drove in two go-ahead runs in the top of the tenth inning. Bob Wheatley made the start for USC. Wheatley pitched two innings and did not allow a hit. He struck out two. Wheatley is battling back from an injury that has sidelined up for a couple weeks.
USC wins the series 2-1.
USC: 16-23, 8-10
Utah: 16-19, 5-13
Valparaiso at Arizona State
Arizona played host to Valparaiso in a non-conference matchup of the weekend. Arizona State won game one by a final of 16-3. Nine different Sun Devils collected an RBI in the victory, while Michael Benjamin had three hits and three RBI. Trevor Williams picked up the victory after pitching six innings.
Saturday saw Arizona State once again lay siege to Valparaiso, as the Sun Devils won 15-3. RJ Ybarra hit a grand slam for the Sun Devils, their first in three years. Ryan Kellogg improved to 9-0 after pitching six innings and allowing three runs.
The Sunday start continues to be a problem for Arizona State as Valparaiso defeated Arizona State 8-6. Sun Devil starter Alex Blackford only lasted 2 and 1/3 innings. He allowed six runs on six hits as three different Valpo hitters drove in two RBI apiece. Michael Benjamin and RJ Ybarra each homered for the Sun Devils.
Arizona State: 24-12-1, 8-7
Valparaiso: 15-23, 4-8
Pac-12 Standings
- Oregon State 11-4
- Oregon 13-5
- UCLA 9-6
- Stanford 9-6
- Arizona State 8-7
- Arizona 9-9
- Washington State 6-9
- USC 8-10
- California 7-11
- Utah 5-13
- Washington 5-10
Takeaways from the Weekend
1. UCLA taking two out of three from Oregon at PK Park. Simply put, the Bruins executed and the Ducks did not. Both teams are pretty equal as witnessed by the Friday and Saturday 1-0 final. The Ducks made a few questionable plays in the first two games. In game one on Friday, when Carrol scored on the double play, the ball was laced to third base. There was an opportunity to get the runner at home and keep the game scoreless. In game two on Saturday, a Duck base runner was thrown out trying to steal third base in the bottom of the eighth inning for the second out. The next hitter laced a single that would have scored the runner from second. Both teams had opportunities, UCLA just capitalized better this weekend.
2. Oregon State losing two out of three to Washington. It’s a long season and sometimes teams have a hard time getting up to play weaker competition. That said, with UCLA and Oregon, and Stanford and Arizona each beating each other, Oregon State missed an opportunity to build a big conference lead. Instead they sit just one game ahead of Oregon and two ahead of UCLA and Stanford.
3. Stanford separating themselves from the rest of the conference. Taking two out of three from streaking Arizona pulled Stanford within two games of the conference lead. The top four of Oregon State, Oregon, UCLA, and Stanford are all separated by two games.
