Five-Run Fourth Propels Beavers To Season-Opening Win

Friday, February 17

Santa Barbara, Calif.

2:00 PM

Oregon State

1-0

UC Santa Barbara

0-1

Oregon State

UC Santa Barbara

February 17, 2012 | Baseball

Box Score

By: TBD

Feb. 17, 2012

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Ryan Barnes, Jake Rodriguez and John Tommasini all had two hits apiece to pace the 23rd-ranked Oregon State baseball team to a 7-3 win over UC Santa Barbara Friday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

The Beavers took advantage of two UC Santa Barbara errors in the win, as five of the seven runs were unearned. The Beavers tallied seven hits overall, led by Barnes, Rodriguez and Tommasini's efforts.

For Tommasini, it was his first game for the Beavers since the 2010 season. Both he and Rodriguez drove in two during the Beavers' five-run fourth.

"This was a good way to get a season-opening win," Oregon State head coach Pat Casey said of the Beavers' 73rd all-time and third straight. "We took advantage of situations and that helped in the win."

Oregon State sent 10 to the plate in the five-run fifth, taking advantage of a throwing error by Steven Moon that allowed Dylan Davis to reach. OSU eventually loaded the bases and the first two runs of the season came when Tommasini lined a double to the left center gap.

The Beavers advanced the lead to 5-0 when Kavin Keyes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Jake Rodriguez lined a two-run single to right.

UC Santa Barbara scored its first run in the sixth when a two-out bunt single by Joe Wallace plated a run.

The Gauchos (0-1 overall) scored two more in the seventh when Lance Roenicke and Brandon Trinkwon opened the inning with back-to-back doubles and Joe Winterburn singled home another.

OSU (1-0) held on to a two-run lead for an inning before tacking two more on the board. The Beavers put runners at first and second, and both scored on a throwing error by UCSB pitcher Jared Wilson on a sacrifice bunt.

Ben Wetzler started for the Beavers and scattered six hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings for the win. His counterpart, Matthew Vedo, was saddled with the loss after giving up four hits and five runs - two earned - in four innings.

The Beavers used four relievers in the win. They combined to go 3 2/3 innings, allowing no runs with two hits and two walks issued.

Roenicke and Ryan Palermo paced UCSB with two hits apiece.

The Beavers and Gauchos continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. First pitch of game one is slated for 11 a.m. PT. Note, game one is scheduled as a seven-inning game while game two is nine innings.

Catch the game live on the radio by tuning in the Beaver Sports Radio Network and Beaver Nation Online (osubeavers.com). Check osubeavers.com for a full listing of baseball affiliates.

For more information on the Oregon State baseball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/Beaver_Baseball.

OSU NOTES: Joey Matthews (CF), Sam Montgomery (RF) and Dylan Davis (DH) made their first career starts for the Beavers ... The Beavers' first hit of the season was recorded by Ryan Barnes, who singled up the middle on an 0-1 count to open the game ... John Tommasini's hits were his first since March 13, 2010 when he singled against Portland at Goss Stadium ... Taylor Starr made his first appearance in almost three seasons, throwing 12 pitches and allowing one hit while recording one out ... Starr's last appearance saw him strike out two in one inning at Tennessee in 2009 ... Cole Brocker made his first appearance on the mound, recording two strikeouts with a walk and hit in 2/3 of an inning.

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