March 19, 2009

CORVALLIS, Oregon - Oregon State got a strong pitching performance from Tyler Waldron and a big three-run double from Ryan Ortiz to win its home opener, 7-0, over Utah Valley on Thursday night in front of 1,567 fans at Goss Stadium.

The Wolverines (5-12), who have now lost seven straight, had just four hits on the night and just one through the first six innings. Waldron (1-1) threw 8.0 innings and struck out six while walking three in throwing 96 pitches. Brad Kidd threw the final inning to complete the shutout for the Beavers (9-5).

Brock Sargent struck out a career-high six batters and cruised through the first three innings before Oregon State broke through with a single run in the fourth. Adalberto Santos drove in the first run of the day on a sac-fly to center that scored Ortiz, putting Oregon State up 1-0.

Ortiz' big blow came in the fifth. With one out, John Tommasini singled and stole second before he scored on Joey Wong's double to left. After John Wallace walked and Stefan Romero reached on an error to load the bases, Ortiz delivered a three-run double to right-center to put the Beavers up 5-0.

OSU tacked on single runs in the seventh and eighth, the latter on a solo home run from Santos.

Sargent fell to 1-3 with the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings. Jory Jensen once again threw solid in relief, allowing one hit in 1.2 innings, lowering his ERA to 2.21.

Ortiz finished the day 3-for-3 and Tommasini added two hits for the Beavers, who took a 7-2 all-time series lead over Utah Valley.

The Wolverines now face Saint Mary's on Friday at 2 p.m. MT on OSU's field with Kole Mickolio scheduled to start on the mound. Justin Smith is scheduled to start the second and final game of the series against Oregon State at 6 p.m. MT on Friday.