Late into the night and early morning at Alex Box Stadium, Oregon State survived Sam Houston State’s ninth-inning threat to win their elimination game 3-1 and give themselves a second crack at LSU.
The first time the two teams faced at the Baton Rouge regional, the Beavers offense exploded for 18 runs. But in Sunday’s elimination game, Oregon State scored only three runs on six hits to beat the Bearkats for a second time, ending their season.
The Beavers won with their pitching. Junior right-hander Ian Lawson got the start, but he was pulled in favor of freshman Aiden Jimenez after he walked four in two innings. Jimenez then took Oregon State to the ninth inning. He kept his pinch count low (throwing only 63 across his six innings), struck out six and allowed only three to reach base.
The Beavers took control with a three-run fourth inning. Mikey Kane scored the first run by dropping a hit in between three fielders in right field. Then Brady Kasper drove in the next two with a hard line drive over the right side of the infield.
In the bottom of the ninth, Sam Houston State put two runners on, with the tying run on second. But Ryan Brown escaped the jam and earned the save after getting Bearkat designated hitter Jake Tatom to fly out to right field.
Oregon State needs to beat LSU twice Monday to advance to the super regionals. They’ll get their first shot in Game 6 at 1 p.m.
If the Beavers win, the teams will meet again at 5 p.m. Monday.
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