The Oregon State Beavers, ranked No. 3 in the NCWBA poll, arrived in Eugene this weekend to take on the N0.6 ranked Oregon Ducks. With a one game lead over Oregon atop the Pac-12, the series has both conference and national implications. Oregon State is ranked No. 6 in the latest RPI rankings, while Oregon currently sits No. 7. The winner of the series puts themselves in perfect position to grab one of the eight national seeds, which guarantees home field advantage throughout the Super Regionals.
Friday’s matchup pitted Oregon State’s LHP Matt Boyd (10-2, 2.04 ERA) against Oregon’s LHP Tommy Thorpe (5-4 2.62 ERA).
On paper the matchup appeared to favor Oregon State, especially since Oregon started five left handed hitters.
Instead it was Thorpe who out-dueled Boyd as Oregon defeated Oregon State 3-0.
The lefty starter matched a carrer high with seven strikeouts in eight innings. He allowed two hits and walked two batters.
Oregon got to Boyd early, as first baseman Ryon Healy delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the first to give Oregon a 1-0 lead. After designated hitter Mitchell Tollman sacrificed runners up a base, right fielder Scott Heineman put Oregon up 2-0 with an RBI groundout.
In the bottom of the second inning, center fielder Nick Catalano led off the inning with a double down the left field line. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and later scored on a RBI single by shortstop J.J Altobelli.
In the ninth, the Beavers got a leadoff walk from shortstop Tyler Smith. It was there first runner on base since a fourth inning walk to designated hitter Ryan Barnes.
The Ducks turned to closer Jimmie Sherfy. After walking Michael Conforto and hitting Ryan Barnes, Sherfy got first baseman Danny Hayes to fly out to center.
With the win, Oregon pulls into a tie with the Beavers atop the Pac-12 conference.
