Austin Dirkx allows one run over four innings in his first start as a Pilot
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Portland pitching kept the Pilots alive Tuesday afternoon against the 11th-ranked Oregon State Beavers, but OSU pitchers combined for a three-hitter as the Beavers held on for a 3-1 win at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. Michael Stutes tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven to lead the Beavers.
Stutes improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Beavers (10-4) earned their sixth consecutive victory. Portland junior Austin Dirkx (1-1) took the loss despite allowing just one run on four hits in four innings of work. It was Dirkx’s first start for the Pilots (2-10), as he had worked 10 innings out of the bullpen and not allowed a run entering the day.
The Beavers gained an 8-3 advantage in hits and Portland committed the only error of the game.
OSU scored first in the fourth inning with three consecutive two-out singles off of Dirkx. Mitch Canham singled to right field and advanced to second on Shea McFeeley’s single to left center. Geoff Wagner knocked in Canham with another single up the middle before Dirkx struck out Scott Santschi to end the frame.
The Beavers added two more in the sixth with the benefit of no RBI. Consecutive one-out singles by Bill Rowe and Canham put runners at first and second. A wild pitch by Sean Sargent moved Rowe to third, but Sargent then struck out McFeely for the second out. A double steal ensued as Canham took off for second and was safe, while Rowe scored as UP catcher Nik Kosach tried to throw Canham out. A throwing error by third baseman Gustaf Little allowed Canham to score the third run for OSU.
After OSU reliever Jon Koller put the Pilots down in order in the seventh and eighth, the Beavers brought in closer Kevin Gunderson for the ninth with a 3-0 lead.
Junior shortstop Jesse Rodgers drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on senior Matthew Peters’ single, only the second hit of the day for UP. Junior Adam Kerr came on with a pinch hit single to load the bases and the shutout was spoiled by an RBI-groundout from Travis Vetters. Gunderson struck out junior pinch hitter Pat Geraghty to end the game.
The Pilots will continue their season-opening, 20-game road swing with a three-game series at Nevada on March 10-12. The Pilots and Wolf Pack meet at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 10, while Saturday and Sunday are set for 1 p.m. starts.
