SALT LAKE CITY – Christian Donahue went 4-for-5 and Logan Ice drove in three runs to pace the 14th-ranked Oregon State baseball team to a 10-4 series-opening victory over Utah Thursday night at Smith’s Ballpark.
Donahue posted his second consecutive four-hit game, doubling once to go along with a walk and three runs scored. In his last two games, OSU victories over Oregon and Utah, he’s gone 8-for-10 with three doubles, six runs scored, two stolen bases – both against the Utes – and one walk.
Better yet, Donahue extended his already season-long hit streak to eight games. During the streak, he is 20-for-36 (.556) with 11 runs scored, six RBI and six doubles.
Donahue, at the No. 1 spot in the order, combined with No. 2 batter Nick Madrigal to go 7-for-10 in the win over the Utes. Madrigal was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a double, extending his hit streak to five games.
All told, the Beavers (25-9 overall, 7-6 Pac-12 Conference) tallied 14 hits off three Utah pitchers. Trever Morrison and Cadyn Grenier each had two hits, with both recording a triple. The third triple of the night went to Logan Ice, who drove in two in the third to get the Beavers on the board first.
Oregon State came into the night with a Pac-12 leading 23 triples, and the 26 now leads the nation.
Up 5-2 after five, the Beavers scored at least one run in three of the last four innings. Madrigal doubled home his run in the sixth, then watched as Morrison and Grenier drove in runs via back-to-back triples in the seventh.
Travis Eckert started for the Beavers, scattering eight hits and four runs to pick up the win. He improved to 5-2 on the year.
The Beavers made Utah (13-21, 8-5) starter Jayson Rose work early and often. The right-hander tossed 109 pitches through five innings and was replaced by reliever Lars Lofgren to open the sixth. Rose, who took the loss to drop to 5-4 on the year, allowed six hits and five runs. He struck out seven but walked four.
Oregon State and Utah finish the series with a doubleheader Friday at Smith’s Ballpark. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. Game two will start at 5 p.m.
– Oregon State Athletics
