April 9, 2011
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State sent Arizona State to their first series loss this season, as the Beavers "walked" off with a 7-6 win at Goss Stadium in Corvallis. For the second straight day OSU used a late-inning rally to beat ASU, scoring five runs in the final three innings to pick up the win. The loss drops ASU to 22-8, 5-3 in Pac-10 play.
After Arizona State had built a four-run lead heading to the seventh, the Beavers were able to erase the deficit in the seventh and eighth, setting up the game-winner in the ninth. In the ninth, Oregon State had the bases loaded with one out for Brian Stamps, who drew a four pitch walk to give the Beavers a walk off 7-6 victory.
OSU reliever Scott Schultz, who allowed an RBI single and a three-run homer to two of the first three men he faced, shut down the Devils over the final four innings, allowing only two base hits. He pitched five innings, earning the win out of the bullpen.
The Sun Devils got on the board first, scoring twice in the top off the third. After Xorge Carrillo was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Andy Workman launched a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall for a 2-0 lead. It was the first career homer for Workman, coming in his 93rd career game.
The lead was short-lived, as once again the Beavers put together a two-out rally in the third. Oregon State scored twice off Kramer Champlin to even things up. A two-run single by Jared Norris knotted things up at two apiece. The Beavers collected three hits and two walks in the inning to aid their rally. All five of Oregon State's runs on Friday night scored with two outs.
Arizona State would grab the lead back in the fifth, scoring four times off two Beaver pitchers. Johnny Ruettiger led off the inning by drawing a walk then Zack MacPhee singled to put two men on with no one out. That chased starter Josh Osich, who gave way to Schultz. After a fly out moved Ruettiger to third, Zach Wilson singled through the left side to bring him home. Deven Marrero then cleared the bases by tattooing a ball over the left field wall for a three-run homer. It was the first round-tripper of the year for Marrero and it gave Arizona State a 6-2 lead.
For the second straight game the seventh inning was a nightmare for Arizona State. The Beavers, who used a seventh inning rally to take the lead on Friday night, scored three times to cut the ASU lead to 6-5 on Saturday. The first three batters all singled off Champlin, plating a run to chase him from the game. Trevor Williams came on and allowed a bunt single to load the bases then hit a man to force in a run. A fielder's choice brought home another run, but a strike out and a fly out ended the inning with Arizona State clinging to a one-run lead.
The lead would disappear in the bottom of the eighth against Mitchell Lambson, as Oregon State rallied to tie things at six. After Williams got the first man of the inning, Lambson entered from the bullpen. He gave up back-to-back singles before getting the second out on a strike out. But nine-hole hitter Tyler Smith tied the game on a bloop single to left, setting up the ninth inning rally.
Starter Kramer Champlin went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out three, getting a no decision. Trevor Williams went 1.1 innings, allowing only a hit and striking out one. Lambson (3-3) pitched an inning, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. He took the loss.
Deven Marrero led the Sun Devil offense, collecting two hits and three RBI. ASU managed only six hits as a team. The teams will wrap-up the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. from Goss Stadium in Corvallis.