Oregon State University Athletics: A Triumph on the Diamond
Introduction
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University’s baseball team showcased a phenomenal performance, blasting five home runs and clinching a spot in its eighth Men’s College World Series with a thrilling 14-10 victory over Florida State. The electrifying game took place at Goss Stadium, captivating an enthusiastic crowd of 4,380 fans.
A Power-Packed Performance
The Beavers’ offensive onslaught began spectacularly in the first inning, when Canon Reeder and Carson McEntire launched back-to-back home runs, igniting what would become a historic scoring day. This powerful start resulted in a seven-run first inning, setting the stage for an intense battle on the diamond.
In a further display of their hitting prowess, Trent Caraway followed suit with a grand slam during a six-run third inning. Not to be outdone, Gavin Turley added a two-run blast—his impressive 19th home run of the season—pushing OSU to a commanding 13-3 lead.
A Resilient Opponent
Despite a fierce onslaught from the Beavers, Florida State (42-16) managed to rally back, scoring six consecutive runs. However, relief pitcher Nelson Keljo sealed the victory for the Beavers with a decisive 3-2 strikeout of Alex Lodise, ending the game on a high note for Oregon State.
Stellar Relief Pitching
In relief of a shaky start, Zach Kmatz emerged as the unsung hero of the day, striking out two in 2 and 2/3 innings to pick up his second win of the season, improving his record to 2-0. Meanwhile, FSU’s Wes Mendes struggled on the mound, giving up five hits and seven runs in just 2/3 of an inning, resulting in his second loss of the season.
What’s Next for the Beavers?
As anticipation builds, the full brackets for the Men’s College World Series will be announced on Monday. Fans can hardly wait to see where their beloved Beavers will stand in this prestigious tournament.
Key Takeaways from Oregon State’s Triumph
- Carson McEntire made a resounding return, starting his first game since May 11, marking his 11th appearance this season.
- The dynamic duo of Reeder and McEntire achieving back-to-back home runs is a feat not seen since Aiva Arquette and Gavin Turley did it earlier this season.
- Reeder’s home run was his first since May 16 against Long Beach State, while McEntire’s was his first since May 5 at Hawai’i.
- The Beavers smashed a season-high of seven runs in the first inning, surpassing their previous record of five runs in a game against Xavier.
- With five home runs in a single postseason game, Oregon State set a new franchise record, eclipsing their previous best of four home runs in a 2023 game against Sam Houston.
- Notably, this season marked the second consecutive year that the Beavers exceeded 100 home runs, totaling 103—the second-most in program history.
Attendance and Home Advantage
The Huskies’ followership was evident as 4,380 fans filled the stands, marking the 14th game this season with over 4,000 attendees. The Beavers attracted a total of 105,505 fans over 27 games, averaging 3,908 spectators—a new single-season record.
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Our Mission
Oregon State Athletics is dedicated to Building Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes—Go BEAVS!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as the Beavers make their mark on the world stage!
