TUCSON, Ariz. -- Paced by Ben Wetzlerâs dominant pitching and Dylan Davis' five runs batted in, the seventh-ranked Oregon State baseball team cruised to a series-opening victory as it defeated host Arizona 11-2 on Friday at Hi Corbett Field.
Wetzler (5-0) remained perfect on the season as he shut out the Wildcats for 7 1/3 innings. The veteran lefty allowed just two hits, but did walk four while striking out five.
Oregon State (20-5, 5-2 Pac-12) gave Wetzler just about all the run support he needed with a two-run first inning off Wildcat starter James Farris.
Jeff Hendrix and Michael Conforto each tallied one-out singles in the opening frame, before Davis ripped a double down the left field line to drive in the initial runs. Davis went on to drive in three more runs as part of his 4-for-6 effort at the plate.
The Beavers created some breathing room with a three-run fifth inning, sparked by back-to-back triples from Andy Peterson and Trever Morrison. Hendrix, who was 4-for-5 with four runs scored, added an RBI single, and Kavin Keyes also drove in a run with a base hit.
Farris (4-2) suffered just his second loss of the season in 7.1 innings on the mound. He was charged for seven earned runs and surrendered 13 hits, while striking out six and walking a pair -- both intentional.
When Farris left with runners at the corners and one down in the eighth, the Arizona bullpen was unable to limit the damage. Cody Moffett and Tyler Parmenter allowed two additional runs when they combined to issue three walks and give up a pair of hits as Oregon State opened the game up with four runs.
Leading 9-0 in the ninth, the Beavers added two more runs to extend their advantage to 11-0. Davis collected his second double of the game and drove in a run off Tyler Crawford to cap a strong night.
Arizona (11-17, 1-6) avoided the shutout with a pair of runs off reliever Trent Shelton in the bottom of the ninth. Joseph Maggi led off with an infield single and scored on Kevin Newmanâs triple to right field. Newman scored on Trent Gilbertâs grounder to set the game at its final, 11-2.
The Beavers rapped out 18 hits in the game and benefitted from five walks. Oregon State hitters were 11-for-31 (.355) batting with runners on base, while Arizona totaled just six hits in 30 total at bats for the game.
