Keitzman Strikes Out Nine In Relief In OSU’s 8-4 Win

The Beavers (25-20) added one run in the bottom of the third and entered the fourth down, 4-1.

Salem-news.com Sports

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Blake Keitzman came in relief and struck out nine as the Oregon State baseball team took the final game of the two-game series, 8-4, over Utah Valley Tuesday afternoon at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field.

Keitzman came into the game to start the fourth inning and retired the first 10 batters he faced. Of those 10, he struck out seven. His final tally included six innings of work, no runs allowed, three hits against and a career-high nine strikeouts. He improved his record to 2-3 on the season after picking up the win.

“Blake came in and threw very well,” head coach Pat Casey said. “He certainly spotted the ball well and kept Utah Valley’s hitters on their toes.”

Daniel Robertson went 3-for-4 to pace the Beavers, while Ryan Ortiz continued his hot hitting of late, driving in two on a 1-for-4 effort. Both Erik Ammon and Garrett Nash each walked twice and scored a run.

Utah Valley (15-35-1 overall) got on the board early with two runs in the first and two more in the third, all coming off Oregon State starter pitcher James Nygren. He gave up four runs on eight hits and struck out two.

The Beavers (25-20) added one run in the bottom of the third and entered the fourth down, 4-1.

Oregon State broke through in the bottom of the fourth with five runs when the first seven batters of the inning reached base thanks to four hits, two walks and an error by the Utah Valley third baseman. The first five runners of the inning all scored giving the Beavers their first lead of the game, 6-4.

The Beavers added two more in the eight with two outs. Ortiz scored Nash on a single and Koa Kahalehoe, running for Ortiz, scored on a single by pinch hitter Dale Solomon.

Jace Brinkerhoff went 3-for-4 in the game with two runs scored and one RBI. Scott Croshaw went 3-for-4 as well, driving in three of the Wolverines’ four runs.

Andy Jangard took the loss for Utah Valley, falling to 1-6 this season. He worked three innings, striking out one while walking five. He was responsible for six of Oregon State’s eight runs and five of the team’s nine hits.

Utah Valley did out-hit the Beavers, 11-9, with Oregon State improving to 3-12 this year when being out-hit.

The Beavers return to the field at USC Friday with a first pitch time of 7 p.m. PT at Dedeaux Field. The game can be heard on the Beaver Sports Network, Beaver Nation Online (www.osubeavers.com) and Yahoo! Sports.

OSU Notes: Blake Keitzman struck out a season-high nine batters and retired the first 10 batters he faced … Daniel Robertson extended his hitting streak to three games and is 5-for-13 with two runs scored and two RBI during the streak … Ryan Ortiz extended his hitting streak to five games … The appearance was Keitzman’s 20th of the season, which ties Mark Grbavac for most on the club.

Source: Oregon State Athletics

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