May 13, 2008
CORVALLIS, Oregon - Scott Croshaw and Jace Brinkerhoff had three hits apiece but it wasn't enough as Utah Valley fell short at two-time defending champion Oregon State, 8-4 on Tuesday afternoon.
Croshaw drove in three runs and Jory Jensen threw four innings out of the bullpen and didn't allow an earned run on just two hits for the Wolverines, who dropped to 15-35-1.
The Beavers (25-20) got six shutout innings from Blake Keitzman in relief to earn the two-game series split after Utah Valley won the opener, 11-6, on Monday night. Keitzman struck out nine and retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced and moved to 2-3 on the year.
Cole Anderson led off the game with a single and then stole second base for his 11th steal of the season. Brinkerhoff later singled Anderson home for the first run of the game on an infield single. Croshaw brought Brinkerhoff home on a two-out double down the line in left to give UV a 2-0 lead after one.
Oregon State got a run back in the second on Daniel Robertson's single to right that scored Jason Ogata, cutting the lead to 2-1.
The Wolverines made in 4-1 in the top of the fourth when Croshaw ripped a double to left that plated Brinkerhoff and Adam Openshaw.
The Beavers then used the big fourth to turn a three-run deficit into a two-run advantage. With two runs already in and with nobody out, Chris Hopkins walked with the bases loaded to tie the game at four before Utah native Garrett Nash's infield single gave the home team its first lead of the series. Ryan Ortiz capped the scoring in the inning when his sacrifice fly scored Joey Wong.
Meanwhile Keitzman was nearly untouchable and two Beaver insurance runs in the bottom of the eight gave OSU the cushion it needed.
Croshaw and Jake Rickenbach both singled in the ninth before Kai Hatch's liner was snagged by Nash at third to end the game.
UV outhit Oregon State 11-9 overall but eight walks by the Wolverine pitching staff to just one by the Beaver staff made a difference in the loss.
The Wolverines will use Wednesday to travel to Honolulu a three-game series at Hawaii beginning Thursday evening.
