Bats Come to Life as #22 Beavers Down Nevada

Every Oregon State (7-6 overall) starter had at least one hit in the win, which saw the Beavers come back from an 8-6 deficit after four innings for the win.

Jordan Lennerton set a career-best with four hits, finishing a single short of the cycle, as the 22nd-ranked Oregon State baseball team defeated Nevada, 17-10, Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three-game series at Peccole Park. Photo courtesy: OSU Athletics

RENO, Nevada - Lonnie Lechelt drove in a career-high five runs and Jordan Lennerton set a career-best with four hits, finishing a single short of the cycle, as the 22nd-ranked Oregon State baseball team defeated Nevada, 17-10, Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three-game series at Peccole Park.

“I’m proud of the way this team battled back after giving up eight early runs,” Oregon State head coach Pat Casey said. “Our offense was alive the entire game, and Jordan and Lonnie had very good games.”

Lechelt finished the afternoon with three hits, hitting his first home run of the season in the second. The second baseman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third, and singled home two runs in Oregon State’s five-run sixth inning.

Lennerton, meanwhile, finished with four extra base hits, doubling in the second and seventh innings and tripling in the third. He hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot, in the ninth, for his only RBI of the game.

Drew George also had a big game for the Beavers, tying a season-high with four hits with four RBI. George posted three singles and doubled in the sixth. In three games this week, the senior has posted two four-hit games and has 10 RBI.

Every Oregon State (7-6 overall) starter had at least one hit in the win, which saw the Beavers come back from an 8-6 deficit after four innings for the win. The Beavers batted around in the second, sixth and seventh innings, combining for 15 runs and 14 hits during the three frames.

Oregon State’s five-run sixth pulled the Beavers ahead for good. Jason Ogata drove in two with a double to right center, and scored two batters later when George doubled down the left field line.

Lechelt capped off the inning’s scoring with a lined shot that enabled him to get to second and drive in Daniel Robertson and George. The two RBI gave him five for the game following his second inning home run and sac fly in the third.

The Beavers finished the game with 20 hits overall. Joey Wong, Daniel Roberston and Chris Hopkins also had two hits apiece for Oregon State. Ryan Ortiz drove in three runs on a three-run home run to center in the seventh that scored Robertson and George during the team’s five-run inning.

Ogata and Robertson each drove in two.

Josh Keller picked up the win in relief and improved to 2-0 this season. He worked three innings, striking out one and walking one. He allowed one run and four hits in his fifth appearance of the season.

Mark Grbavac earned his first save of the season after getting three full innings in, allowing two hits and a run while striking out four.

Four straight hits – including the first three for extra bases – highlighted a five-run second inning that opened the game’s scoring in favor of Oregon State. Lennerton paced the offensive streak with a double to left center with one out, then came home when Lechelt homered to center for his first round tripper of the season.

Chris Hopkins kept the inning going with a double that hit the left field fence, and moved to third when Wong singled through the left side. Three batters later, and with the bases loaded due to an Ogata walk, Daniel Robertson drove in two with a bloop single to center. George drove in the inning’s final run – and third with two outs – with a single to left.

Lennerton posted his first triple of the season in the third after hitting the top of the center field fence. He was driven in on a sac fly by Lechelt.

The six runs over the first three innings proved to be pivotal in keeping the game close. Nevada scored five runs in the third – highlighted by a Shaun Kort two-run home run – and three more in the fourth to take an 8-6 lead.

Oregon State starter Jorge Reyes was chased during the three-run fourth after allowing all three runs and two hits – including another home run, this one a solo shot by Mike Hale – in the inning.

Reyes lasted three innings in his fourth start of the season. He surrendered eight runs – all earned – while scattering five hits. He walked two and struck out one.

The Beavers made sure that Reyes wouldn’t be saddled with the loss, scoring 11 runs after he was replaced in the fourth.

Chris Garcia allowed six runs combined in the second and third innings, but made it five full innings before being replaced one batter into the sixth. He finished with seven runs allowed on 10 hits and four walks. He struck out one.

Ryan Iodence, who immediately replaced Garcia, took the loss and dropped to 0-1 this season. He allowed three hits and four runs and was not able to record an out in the sixth before being replaced by Brock Stassi, who went on to work one inning but gave up four hits and five runs.

Nevada dropped to 7-8 this season.

Oregon State finishes its three-game series with Nevada on Saturday in a 1 p.m. scheduled started at Peccole Park. Mike Parker will be in the radio booth, as the game can be heard on the Beaver Sports Network, Beaver Nation Online (www.osubeavers.com) and Yahoo Sports!

OSU Notes: Small snow flurries flooded the sky during both teams’ batting practice sessions ... Garrett Nash started in right for the first time while Daniel Robertson earned his first start in left ... Jorge Reyes’ start marked the 15th of his career and 12th in a daylight setting ... It also marked his 28th career appearance.

Source: OSU Athletics

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