The Oregon State Beavers continued their unblemished home stretch on Friday night, putting a pin in Grand Canyon's hopes with a 6-4 victory, despite the kind of wet and blustery conditions that make even the hardiest players consider a career in indoor sports. Battling the elements and the Antelopes at Goss Stadium, the game was an exercise in tenacity. The early lead was secured by OSU after Aiva Arquette plundered a run to kick things off. Following this, an error in the field by GCU allowed Easton Talt to whack a single adding two more tallies, as KOIN reported.
But the notable number-spinning moment came in the 6th inning when Trent Caraway launched a ball into the bleachers for a two-run homer, which KOIN described as "the game changer," ballooning the Beavers advantage to 6-0. Not to be discounted, Grand Canyon's later innings saw them stitch together a four-run rally in the 8th that cut the OSU lead down to a skimpy two runs. The charge included a phrase – a "bases-loaded walk" that got them on the scoreboard, supplemented by an RBI groundout and some error-aided scoring that made things interesting up until the final frame.
Fortunately for Oregon State fans, the ninth inning was more about defense than comeback narratives, highlighted by Easton Talt's spectacular catch that solidified the Beavers' hold on their pristine home record, as per KOIN.
Before the ball had even been tossed, a potential bout with bad weather pushed the start time forward to an earlier 4:05 p.m., according to OregonLive.
And the weather did indeed leave its mark, with rain pouring "down in consistent sheets" while gale-force gusts played tug-of-war with the outfield flags from opening pitch until last, the Portland Tribune noted.
OSU remains focused as they prepare to field the Broncos from Santa Clara yesterday before a today's series continuation with Grand Canyon.
