Baseball Downs Gonzaga In Sunday's Opener

Sunday, February 20

Fresno, Calif.

1:00 PM

Oregon State

2-0

Gonzaga

0-3

Oregon State

Gonzaga

February 20, 2011 | Baseball

Box Score

By: TBD

Feb. 20, 2011

Box Score

FRESNO, Calif. - Carter Bell and Jordan Poyer each had two hits and pitchers Ben Wetzler and Scott Schultz made their Oregon State debuts in impressive fashion as the Beavers defeated Gonzaga, 4-2, in the first game Sunday at Beiden Field.

OSU will now play Fresno State at 6:05 p.m. PT.

Starting in his first career game, Wetzler impressed. He did not go long enough for the win, lasting 4 1/3 innings, but left with a 4-1 lead after striking out eight and scattering four hits. He threw 81 pitches and was replaced with runners on first and second and one out by fellow freshman Scott Schultz.

Schultz picked up the win after throwing well in his OSU debut as well. He worked 3 2/3 innings, striking out three while scattering just two hits and one run. He is 1-0 this season.

Matt Boyd came on in relief of Schultz and immediately got a double play, then giving way to Ryan Dunn who recorded an out for his first career save.

Bell and Poyer, meanwhile, posted their first multiple-hit games of the season. Bell posted two singles and was 2-for-3 while Poyer singled and doubled to end the day 2-for-4.

All told, the Beavers managed just six hits off four Gonzaga pitchers but were able to build up a three-run lead after five innings and held on to get to 2-0 this season. Gonzaga fell to 0-3.

The Beavers took advantage of six walks from Gonzaga starter Tyler Olson, who was chased after just three full innings and 81 pitches. OSU managed just two hits against him but were able to score two runs. Olson dropped to 0-1 in 2011.

OSU got on the board first, in the first inning, when Olson threw three walks and Tyler Smith drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Gonzaga evened the score in the second on a run-scoring single by Royce Bolinger, but Brian Stamps gunned down the trailing runner at the plate to keep the score tied.

The score didn't remain tied for long, however. The Beavers scored solo runs in each of the next three innings. Luke Acosta singled home a run in the third, Garrett Nash drove home Jake Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Andrew Susac scored on a wild pitch in the fifth.

The Beavers have a short break after the first game of the day against Gonzaga and are set to square off with Fresno State at 6:05 p.m. PT on Sunday. The Beavers will throw left-hander Cam Booser (0-0, 0.00) against Fresno State right-hander Greg Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00).

Catch the game on the Beaver Sports Radio Network and Beaver Nation Online (osubeavers.com). For updates throughout the game, follow the official Oregon State baseball Twitter page by going to www.twitter.com/Beaver_Baseball.

OREGON STATE NOTES: Ben Wetzler made his first career start for the Beavers ... Brian Stamps first at bat against Gonzaga Sunday resulted in a 13-pitch at bat in which he walked on a 3-2 pitch ... It was his first career walk as a Beaver ... Luke Acosta (designated hitter) and Jake Rodriguez (third base) made their first career appearances ... Rodriguez doubled in his second career at bat and Acosta also drove in a run in the third inning ... Oregon State started the season 2-0 for the 54th time in school history.

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