SURPRISE, Ariz.- No. 12 Oregon State (0-1) took the loss to Michigan (1-0) from a score of 5-3 on Friday afternoon. Feb 13. The matchup kicked off the Surprise College Baseball Series tournament, where four teams will make their season debut.
Oregon State led early
OSU was able to score two runs during the first inning. Being one of two ranked teams at the ball tournament, it was highly expected of them to overpower this game. The Wolverines, however, had different plans.
Michigan was able to find success on the field during the top of the second after junior outfielder Brenden Stressler got the Wolverines their first home run of the season.
The three-time all-state selection sophomore pitcher Dax Whitney was the Beavers’ main pitcher for today’s opening game. Whitney recorded 79 pitches, five hits, and one run.
Beaver baseball has been one of the top teams in college for decades. Currently, they are on a hot streak, making the NCAA tournament for the past 18 seasons. This season, they look to make another return to the tournament.
OSU has been without a conference for the past two seasons. Since the departure of the PAC-12, Oregon State and Washington State remain the two teams competing under the PAC-12 banner despite being listed as “independent”.
There were scoreless innings throughout the third and fourth until OSU met up with the home plate once again.
Michigan storms back
UM found their way back to the plate, scoring two runs in the top of the sixth to tie it up 3-3.
The Beavers had a huge opportunity to take the lead with bases loaded, but couldn’t find the connection on the field. Instead, OSU found themselves trailing by two going into the final inning.
During the bottom of the ninth, the Beavers couldn’t get it done following a lead-off walk. Junior right hander Gavin DeVooght recorded the save, retiring his three men in order.
Today marks the opening day for multiple college baseball teams, with one of those being Arizona State. The Sun Devils will host Omaha in under the Phoenix Municipal stadium lights for their season opener.
