Beavers Strike Early, Defeat Nebraska

Saturday, February 25

Surprise, AZ

3:00 PM

Oregon State

6-1

Nebraska

1-4

Nebraska

Oregon State

February 25, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

KJ Harrison hit a two-run home run in the first inning

By: Athletic Communications

SURPRISE, Ariz. – KJ Harrison hit a two-run home run and Michael Gretler went 2-for-4 with an RBI to help send Oregon State to a 5-2 win over Nebraska Saturday afternoon at Surprise Stadium.

Harrison's two-run home run, his first of the season, sent the Beavers to a 2-0 lead in the first. He then watched as Oregon State (6-1 overall) added two more in the second when Nick Madrigal was hit by a pitch and Christian Donahue drove a sacrifice fly to center to make it 4-0.

The Oregon State staff, which consisted of starter Sam Tweedt, and relievers Jake Mulholland and Max Engelbrekt, took advantage of the 4-0 lead, holding Nebraska (1-4) to nine hits and two walks while striking out 10.

Tweedt started for the Beavers, his second outing of the season, and scattered seven hits and two runs over five innings. He struck out four before being replaced by Mulholland with two runners on in the sixth inning.

Tweedt earned the win, improving to 2-0 on the year.

Gretler finished the day with singles in the second and eighth innings. His second, off reliever Robbie Palkert, drove in pinch runner Andy Atwood and gave the Beavers a three-run cushion.

Nebraska scored its two runs in the sixth off Tweedt and Mulholland. Angelo Altavilla drove in a run via a single and Brison Cronenbold drove in the second with a double. But Mulholland, who had given up the two hits, got out of the inning with a bases-loaded flyout to left.

Jake Meyers started for Nebraska, allowing six hits and four runs in 3 1/3 innings. He took the loss and dropped to 0-1 on the year.

Donahue's Dive In Left
Christian Donahue made perhaps the play of the year in the fourth inning. Nebraska third baseman Angelo Altavilla drove a fly ball down the left field line. Donahue, who was shaded slightly to left center, made a diving catch in foul territory to get the Beavers' second out of the inning.

Madrigal Six-Gamer
Nick Madrigal extended his hit streak to six games against Nebraska. The sophomore did it quickly, too, sharply singling to left to open the Beavers' half of the first. He later scored on KJ Harrison's two-run home run.

Engelbrekt With Save No. 3
Max Engelbrekt was sharp in his inning of work Saturday, picking up his third save of the season. The redshirt senior now has 20 saves for his career. This season, he has worked 3 1/3 innings, and has not given up a hit or a walk while striking out six.

Errorless
The Beavers did not commit an error in Saturday's win over Nebraska, marking the team's first error-free game of the season. That pushed the team's fielding percentage to .958 from .952 at the start of the day.

Up Next
Oregon State concludes its trip to Arizona Sunday morning when taking on Ohio State at Surprise Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 8 a.m. PT – 9 a.m. in Arizona. The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers will play a Spring Training game Sunday as well, at 1 p.m. Arizona time.

2017 Tickets
Ensure the opportunity to see all 30 home games for Oregon State in 2017 by purchasing season tickets at beavertickets.com/baseball. Single-game tickets are also on sale by visiting the same link.

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For more information on the Oregon State baseball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeaverBaseball, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateBaseball or on Instagram at Instagram.com/BeaverBaseball.

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