LOS ANGELES – Michael Gretler and Jack Anderson each drove in runs in the 10th inning to send the top-ranked Oregon State baseball team to a 4-2 win over UCLA in the series opener Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Beavers scored two in the 10th an inning after UCLA’s Nick Kern tied the game with a pinch hit home run. Steven Kwan walked, moved to second on a balk, and watched as Tyler Malone walked. Gretler then drove a 1-0 pitch from reliever Jake Bird off the base of the wall in left to give OSU a 3-2 lead. The next batter, Anderson, golfed a single to right, bringing in the Beavers’ fourth run of the game.
The win pushed Oregon State to 31-2 on the year and 15-1 in Pac-12 Conference action. The Bruins, meanwhile, dropped to 17-17 overall and 9-7 against league foes.
Luke Heimlich started for the Beavers, and worked 7 1/3 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and three walks. He struck out 10, one shy of tying his season and career best.
The left-hander lowered his earned run average to 0.74 on the year, which is now the lowest in the nation.
The win went to reliever Jake Mulholland, who allowed two hits and two runs in two innings. He improved to 5-0 on the year.
The Beavers scored first for the 24th time this season when Trevor Larnach singled up the middle in the fourth inning, bringing Kwan in from second. One inning later, KJ Harrison lined a single to center, scoring Elliott Cary from second as well.
Bird took the loss after allowing two runs in an inning of work – he dropped to 4-1 on the year. UCLA’s starter, Griffin Canning, scattered six hits and two runs with 10 strikeouts in seven innings.
Madrigal Early On
Nick Madrigal faced 17 pitches over his first two at bats, fouling off 10. He ended up 0-for-2 over the two at bats, but helped set an Oregon State offensive tone that forced UCLA starter Griffin Canning into a high pitch count. Canning ended the night at 121 pitches.
Kwan On A Hot Streak
Steven Kwan finished with two hits for his seventh multi-hit effort of the season. The sophomore extended his hit streak to a season-long four games, where he has seven hits.
Starting The Series Off Right
Oregon State won its fourth consecutive series opening-game over the Bruins. The Beavers will be looking to win their third series over UCLA in the last four seasons with a victory Saturday. Oregon State also improved its all-time record to 35-36 against UCLA, with a 15-18 record in Los Angeles.
In Extras
The Beavers improved to 2-0 in extra-inning games this season.
Next Up
Oregon State and UCLA continue the series Saturday night with a 6:02 p.m. PT start at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The game will air on ESPNU.
- via Oregon State Athletics Communications
