In the top of the eighth in a tie game, runners on the corners and a full count, redshirt sophomore Dustin Robinson stepped into the box for the Cougs. Robinson was able to deliver for the Cougs, hitting a line drive past the first baseman allowing for Hartman to score from third. Taking a 3-2 lead, that would ultimately be enough to beat the Oregon State Beavers. This would be the second time this season that the Cougs emerged victorious over the Beavs across their three matchups.
“Huge swing right there when we needed it, super proud and yeah super proud of our whole program,” head coach Nathan Choate said.
The Cougs struggled offensively early on in the game not recording their first hit until the sixth inning. However, that did not stop the Cougs from scoring their first run in the fourth inning, when Max Hartman was able to cross the plate from third after a wild pitch The second run came in the top of the sixth, Matt Priest singled into the left field allowing Gavin Roy to score from second.
“This lineup is pretty cool. Every time… you never know who is gonna do it, so pretty special for [Robinson] and Priest today, pretty special for them,” Hartman said.
Mountain West pitcher of the year Nick Lewis went the distance for the Cougs. Lewis threw a complete game with two runs allowed and no walks while allowing six hits, five of them being doubles. Lewis also had a strikeout.
“I thought I had pretty good command of all three pitches throughout and I was attacking the strike zone, just letting the defense work,” Lewis said.
Oregon State was able to cross the plate twice, the first of which coming in the bottom of the second inning. Jacob Galloway hit a ball into left field dropping just in front of Robinson, allowing Paul Vazquez to score from second base. The second run for the Beavs came in the bottom of the fifth where Easton Talt hit a deep sac fly allowing Jacob Kreig to score from third.
Beavs starter Nick Kleinschmit had a good outing going 5 ⅔ innings pitched, allowing for two hits, two walks and two runs with one being earned. Notably the junior had nine strikeouts. In relief for the Beavs was Wyatt Queen. In his 1 ⅓ innings pitched he allowed three hits, one earned run, zero walks and had two strikeouts.
To round out the pitching, Albert Roblez came into the game and in his two innings he did not allow a hit or run with five strikeouts. He did walk three batters. Roblez was also able to get out of a bases loaded jam.
This game was only one of three games that the Cougs will need to win in order to advance to the super regionals, needing to beat Oregon and then needing to beat the winner of Yale vs Oregon State.
“We’re gonna enjoy this game for a little bit, but get ready for our game tomorrow,” Choate said.
The Cougs will face Oregon at 6:00 pm May 30 at PK Park in Eugene.
